IRVING, Texas -- Damien Wilson's path to the Dallas Cowboys started in Gloster, Mississippi.

2015 NFL DRAFT PICKS NFC EAST: DAL | NYG | PHI | WAS WEST: ARI | SF | SEA | STL NORTH: CHI | DET | GB | MIN SOUTH: ATL | CAR | NO | TB AFC EAST: BUF | MIA | NE | NYJ WEST: DEN | KC | OAK | SD NORTH: BAL | CLE | CIN | PIT SOUTH: HOU | IND | JAX | TEN

"It's like a little speck on the map," the linebacker said. "It's not big at all."

After high school, he went to Alcorn State as a defensive end but wanted something bigger and better, transferring to Jones County (Mississippi) Community College before heading to the University of Minnesota.

He had a feeling the Cowboys liked him based on a last-second visit in which he spent two hours with linebackers coach Matt Eberflus.

"It was great that it was just me," Wilson said. "I enjoyed my time out there. The attention was on me, the spotlight. I was the only guy in there."

And the Cowboys liked what they saw and heard. Wilson finished his senior season with 119 tackles, leading the Gophers in eight games. He also had 10.5 tackles for loss and tied for the team lead with four sacks.

A drop in his weight led to more production.

"I really hit the playbook and learned the playbook really well," Wilson said. "I just felt more comfortable, and when you're more comfortable you play faster."

The Cowboys value speed and motor.

"They know I don't stop until the ball or the ball carrier hits the ground," Wilson said.