IRVING -- For one day at Valley Ranch, Jason Witten was not the most popular tight end in the Cowboys locker room.

Sixth-round pick Rico Gathers sat at his locker Friday, answering questions from reporters for roughly 15 minutes. The former standout Baylor basketball player was minutes away from taking part in his first rookie minicamp.

"It's real surreal because nobody ever really did it like this before," Gathers said. "To go from playing in the NCAA Tournament to being drafted [in the NFL], I think that's kind of a big deal. Now that I'm here I've got the Cowboys uniform on and I'm working to be the best football player that I can be."

Cowboys tight ends coach Mike Pope said Friday that he can already see the athleticism in Gathers, but knows the 6-6, 273-pounder has a long way to go.

Has Pope taken on a project like Gathers before?

"Well, I've been married twice, so I've taken on some projects in my time," Pope said. "He can't play full speed until he's absolutely sure what he's doing. I think we'll see that jump out of him as we go forward, but it's going to be a little while."

Gathers hasn't played organized football in nine years, so he's going to need all the help he can get.

Fortunately for the Cowboys, there's a 10-time Pro Bowler who will be in the same position room.

"Witten is the 13th Disciple," Pope said, "he helps everybody."