OXNARD, Calif. -- For some Cowboys rookies, the most terrifying aspect of training camp has nothing to do with football.

It happens when they're called to sing in front of the entire team and coaching staff.

That's been a problem for Ezekiel Elliott. The fourth overall pick has sung three times. He attempted the Ohio State alma mater and then "Lean on Me" by Bill Withers.

"Zeke got booed the first night, the second night and the third night," sixth-round pick Rico Gathers said.

Was his "Lean on Me" rendition at least better than his alma mater?

"No," Gathers said. "Absolutely not."

But according to sixth-round pick Kavon Frazier, Elliott's third try might have been the best overall performance. That's because the entire rookie class joined in for his second attempt at "Lean on Me."

Gathers is just fine singing whenever called upon. He embraces the moment. In fact, he often volunteers. So far, the former Baylor basketball standout has sung twice but offered five times.

"This man, he's got a plethora of songs," sixth-round pick Darius Jackson said. "He's probably got seven songs memorized right now."

Gathers has performed R&B songs like R. Kelly's "Honey Love" and Charlie Wilson's "Charlie, last name, Wilson."

"I'm always down to go up there and sing," Gathers said. "I love singing. I sing all the time in the shower. I sing to myself whenever I'm by myself. I'm just a big music fan."

Gathers says the second-best rookie so far has been second-round pick Jaylon Smith, who has performed R&B songs by Keith Sweat and Usher.

The rookies were warned near the end of organized team activities to have songs ready for training camp.

Singing in front of the team is nothing new. Tony Romo belted out a tune during his rookie season in 2003. He bombed. His rendition of Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire" led to boos from the crowd.

Now, the Cowboys QB is the team's harshest critic. When things go poorly, there's a reaction that's simply known as the "famous Tony Romo boo."

"For some people he claps," Frazier said, "but most people he boos."

Jackson admitted that he was nervous when he attempted "Let Me Love You" by Mario.

"I got a little clap," Jackson said. "I was cool with that. I wouldn't say I was good, but I tried."

Jackson was hoping to sing T-Pain's "Buy U A Drank" but it was already done by undrafted rookie free agent tight end Austin Traylor. A player can't perform a song that has already been used.

Fourth-round pick Charles Tapper attempted a Fresh Prince song, however, veteran cornerback Orlando Scandrick quickly shut that down. Tapper then switched to The Weekend's "Wicked Games."

"I've sung twice already and I'm sure I'll be up there again sooner or later," sixth-round pick Anthony Brown said. "There's not a best song to sing, you just have to know the lyrics. As long as you know the lyrics, you're good."

Twitter: @jonmachota

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