Cowboys UDFA torches third day of camp like his career depends on it

Dallas Cowboys training camp is off to an electric start. Between Donovan Ezeirualu creating pressure at will, Kaiir Elam continuing to stand out in the secondary and Brian Schottenheimer installing more motion and play-action in the offense, there is a lot to be excited about.

We will get a better of who isn't performing once the pads come on, but there have been no shortage of standouts over the first three practices. One standout who should not be overlooked is undrafted free agent Zion Childress.

While Alijah Clark and Justin Barron have gotten the most buzz off Dallas' UDFAs, Childress came down with a one-handed interception in team drills on Thursday. Here is a good look at the INT, courtesy of The Athletic's Jon Machota.

Cowboys UDFA Zion Childress is already turning heads in training camp

Matt Eberflus has said he wants the Cowboys to lead the league in takeaways. Well, takeaways have been a common theme over the first three practices in Oxnard.

Childress could not have scripted a better statement to his new defensive coordinator than coming down with an interception, and he gets some bonus points to boot for the level of difficulty.

A former Texas State recruit, Childress transferred to Kentucky for his final three seasons. He brings a lot to the Cowboys as far as versatility, playing over 850 snaps at nickel, free safety and in the box throughout his collegiate career, per draft analyst Ryan Fowler. He had 30 visits with the Texans and Vikings, so he was on a lot of teams' radars as a late-round pick.

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While Childress has some limitations defending the run, he racked up 18 passes defended between Texas State and Kentucky. He has a sneaky penchant for creating splash plays, too, as evidenced by his 13 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles.

Childress played quarterback in high school, so he has a unique ability to understand how QBs think when they're going through progressions. That was evident on his one-handed INT.

Competing in a crowded defensive backfield, the Greater Houston native will have to keep this momentum going in order to make the 53-man roster.

While the Cowboys are deep at safety, they have a glaring need at nickel cornerback and Childress' ability to play in the box gives Eberflus another chess piece in addition to Donovan Wilson, Markquese Bell and Juanyeh Thomas.

Undrafted free agents normally face an uphill climb to make an NFL roster, but Childress did the best thing possible by putting himself on the map within the first few practices.