Is he serious?

Many begged this question when former Baylor standout Rico Gathers made the decision to transition from #Rebounds2Touchdowns and declare for the 2016 NFL Draft. Well, after Thursday night’s showing in the Hall of Fame game, it’s clear that Gathers is serious about one thing: earning a spot on the Dallas Cowboys roster.

The second-year tight end finished with three catches for 59 yards, including a “fingertip catch” for 26 yards and a touchdown in the Cowboys’ preseason win over the Arizona Cardinals. It was Gathers’ first touchdown since eighth grade, but also one that showcased the perks of having a 6’7”, 290-pound power forward/tight end in your corner.

“It’s what you’ve got to do when you’re working with a basketball player,” Gathers said to reporters following the game. “Put it up high where no one else but him can get it.”

A sixth round pick in the 2016 draft, Gathers spent last season on the practice squad to recondition after a near decade long football hiatus. When asked if he wanted to spend another year on the practice squad, Drew Davison of the Star-Telegram reported that Gathers didn’t mince words.

“Nope. No can do, my friend.”

His performance certainly revealed progress since last season and proves he’s on track to become a reliable tight end for the Cowboys. He’s already tripled (almost quadrupled) his entire workload from last summer, playing near 60 snaps in his preseason start.

“That was another big confidence builder, just getting in my mind that I can do this,” Gathers said to DallasCowboys.com.

Gathers has generated quite a buzz, and Cowboys fans should be excited to see how this potential play-maker progresses in preseason.