FRISCO - Security here at The Star in Frisco is pretty tight.
That goes for the lowly media ... and it even goes for relative unknowns with an outside chance to make the Dallas Cowboys' 90-man roster.
So, to get in? You need permission. Or an invitation. Or a door key.
Perrion Winfrey finally got all three.
The Cowboys are hoping to continue their luck in signing players out of the UFL as our sources confirmed this week that the team is signing defensive tackle Winfrey after an All-UFL season with the Birmingham Stallions this spring.
After a standout college career at Oklahoma, Winfrey was taken by the Cleveland Browns in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He was waived after one year with the Browns before being picked up by the New York Jets the following season. He spent much of his one-year contract in 2023 on the injured reserve or practice squad before becoming a free agent and testing out his skills in the UFL.
Part of the issue for the 6-3, 290-pounder, who given his OU background probably knows his way around Dallas? A handful of behavioral issues, including a an accusation that he pulled a gun on a woman in Cleveland, leading to his Browns release.
He comes to Dallas with some ties, as during his time on the Jets' practice squad, he worked with Cowboys new defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton and fellow defensive tackle Solomon Thomas, who signed with the Cowboys earlier this offseason.
Can he turn things around here? He's trying ... by showing up early to work out here at The Star.
The Cowboys struggled stopping the run last season, and signing Winfrey continues the team's efforts to enhance the interior defensive line. Dallas drafted two tackles in Jay Toia and Tommy Akingbesote, along with signing Thomas and re-signing emerging star Osa Odighizuwa.
Winfrey will head to training camp with a shot at earning his place on the Cowboys 53-man roster and adding depth to the trenches.
His connections to the staff should bode well for his causes, but he still must prove that he deserves the chance to play in the NFL.
Winfrey posted on social media his arrival at The Star, noting, "Soon as I got the code I was innit lol.”
So, he's ready to show up for work as he just couldn't wait to get inside The Star.
For the Cowboys, an upside is that he might join KaVontae Turpin and Brandon Aubrey as UFL stars who become NFL standouts here. And another upside?
He's got his entrance code.