OXNARD, Calif. — Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Scott Linehan chuckled when asked what he remembers about his starting quarterback early in last year’s training camp.

"Dak Prescott was splitting third-team reps with Jameil Showers," said Linehan, referring to an undrafted QB who was since converted to safety. "The media was all over Dak, asking what was wrong with him."

Those concerns quickly faded after an unexpected opportunity presented itself. Prescott replaced an injured Tony Romo and exceeded all expectations by enjoying one of the most successful rookie seasons in NFL history.

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Prescott now has a new set of questions to answer after leading Dallas to a 13-3 regular-season record in 2016. The biggest: Can Prescott avoid a "sophomore slump" in his second NFL season and continue taking steps toward becoming an elite-level passer?

Prescott addressed that challenge and more in an interview with co-host Gil Brandt and me that aired Thursday on SiriusXM NFL Radio.

Have you had a chance yet to really soak in just how different this camp is for you than it was at this time last year?

Prescott: Yeah, first and foremost when I watch film. We pulled up film from last year’s training camp and I sneak on there one or two days at the end getting a rep or two. Now I'm coming out here and taking a majority of the reps. It's been a bit different but it’s fun.

How much percentage-wise do you think you've progressed since last year?

Prescott: I mean, it's hard to say 100 (percent), but a lot, definitely a lot. We were watching the film from last year and I made a completely wrong MIKE (middle linebacker) identification. Exactly 100 percent wrong — the wrong guy and everything. This year, I know exactly what I’m doing — who's my extra points, my hots and stuff like that.

Can you take us into the life of a quarterback and the type of commitment that you must have to be successful? Fans may not understand that it’s so much more than a nine-to-five job.

Prescott: 100 percent. Not only are we being watched all the time on and off the field, but there’s a lot that goes into being a quarterback in the NFL. It’s the film study, the extra work that you put in when nobody’s watching. But it’s fun. It’s part of it and I embrace it all.

Having a chance to learn from Tony Romo was obviously an incredible opportunity for you. What are the biggest things you’re going to take away from having worked with him?

Prescott: So many things. He used to help me on and off the field. One of the main things is just the adjustments he helped me with during the game — telling me how defensive coordinators think, how different situations come about and how to go about them.

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What was the biggest adjustment you had to make from playing at Mississippi State?

Prescott: It’s all from the neck up. It’s what you know about the game — how quick you can learn the NFL offense and the schemes and everything in that. I think that was the key for me — just to learn everything that I could. I knew if I knew what was going on that I could play to whatever speed the game was being played at.

What were some of the target goals you set for yourself this offseason, and how many were you able to hit?

Prescott: For me, it was just about getting better. And I know I definitely got better. Being a better leader, better athletically, getting my (workout) numbers better. We have a great strength and conditioning coach and staff that allowed me to do that and great teammates that pushed me every time we came in to workout.

Also, knowing the game better. I have great coaches to push me on that and I’ve pushed myself. So it’s been a lot. I mean, I’m only one year into this league so there are so many things that I can get better at. I’m just continuing to try to do that.

What’s the biggest difference between being a leader at quarterback at the NFL level as compared to college?

Prescott: In college, there’s a lot of time spent with guys in class, outside of the football field or outside of the facility. The pros, it’s pretty much within football (confines). You have to use your time wisely and getting to know your teammates and figuring out different ways to lead these guys within just being in the facility.

There’s a lot of respect that you have to earn. I think it comes first and foremost from the way you treat the game and the way that your teammates see that. For me it was just about loving this game, showing my passion for it, showing my passion for my teammates, just trying to earn that respect and then lead by example.

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You got a lot of young guys out on the defense right now including a guy who didn't play as a rookie in linebacker Jaylon Smith. What has that been like this offseason as you guys begin full-contact practices?

Prescott: It’s been fun. All those guys you named, especially Jaylon, are athletic, freakish guys that are amazing at their position or they wouldn't be here and we wouldn't have drafted them. We know they have all the talent. They’ve got the right attitude. They’re all coming in and listening to these vets like (linebacker) Sean Lee. It’s important that we’re all on the same page offensively and defensively as a team, and it’s been great.

What do you get out of playoff experience during last year’s loss to Green Bay?

Prescott: You just realize the intensity of the game and how much that one game means, how much every play means. You can't have a bad play in the playoffs or it could be the end of your season. That’s just the intensity that the game is played and what people mean when they say "playoff experience."

Jason Witten is going to end up going to the Pro Football Hall of Fame someday just like your team owner Jerry Jones. What has it meant to build a relationship with Jason, and how has he helped you with this transition?

Prescott: He’s helped in so many ways. That’s one of my favorite, most important things to me over this whole offseason this past year is just the relationship that I've been able to develop with Jason. He’s a guy that I idolized before I became a member of the Dallas Cowboys. I still idolize him as a teammate. He does everything right on and off the field. He’s the perfect face of the Dallas Cowboys.

What’s the most impressive thing you saw from Ezekiel Elliott as a rookie as he won the NFL's rushing title?

Prescott: He’s a heck of a player. He's a freak of an athlete. He's just one of those guys that, the moment that he puts on that helmet, he locks in. He's a smart player. I don’t know if people realize how smart he is. I’m thankful to have him back there and hopefully we’ll have a long career together.

Could you elaborate on what makes Zeke a smart player?

Prescott: Just his awareness of the game and little things you can’t teach. He's a smart learner. He's gonna learn if coach Linehan or the running backs coach or I ask him to do something. He’s gonna pick up on it quick and understand and, not only know what we're asking him to do, but he's gonna ask the "why" and figure that out.

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Finally, what has you most excited about the 2017 season for the Dallas Cowboys?

Prescott: We know we have all the tools. We have all the athletes. We have all the playmakers.

It's about just staying together, keeping this chemistry strong and growing it. I'm excited to win games with these guys.

Alex Marvez can be heard from Arizona Cardinals training camp 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. ET Friday on SiriusXM NFL Radio.