Cowboys getting a close look at QB prospect Carson Wentz

Carson Wentz understands the opportunity he has this week by working first-hand with the Dallas Cowboys’ coaching staff.

The North Dakota State product is hoping to show that he has the physical and mental traits to start at the next level.

“There are a lot of doubts coming from the FCS level and I want to address that right away,” Wentz said at the bowl’s opening news conference Monday. “Prove that I can play at a high level, play at a fast level, compete with these guys and really excel. I feel like I have the mental and physical abilities to play at this level and I’m ready and excited to prove that.”

Wentz said being on the North roster coached by Jason Garrett and the Cowboys staff gives him an edge, too, in hopes of convincing them he can succeed at the next level.

The Cowboys are in the market for a quarterback after their backups combined to go 1-11 last season with veteran starter Tony Romo sidelined with injuries.

“It’s a tremendous opportunity,” Wentz said. “You’ve seen teams fall in love with players at any point in the draft process and this is the first step in that process. It’s a great opportunity to me, not just to show my physical abilities to everybody here but my mental side of things. The Cowboys’ staff will get to see it on a whole other level here.”

Wentz is arguably the most intriguing player at the Senior Bowl, evident by him meeting with almost half the teams on the first day. He talked with the Cowboys’ coaches over the phone before the bowl game, and had more meetings scheduled with them.

Senior Bowl executive director Phil Savage would love nothing more than the Wentz hype to grow even more throughout the week and for the quarterback to become a high draft pick.

“I think he’s going to be the most watched,” Savage said. “[He could be] the face of the franchise for us. If Carson Wentz goes in the top 10, what a feather in his cap, but also for us.”

This story was originally published January 25, 2016 at 6:45 PM with the headline "Cowboys getting a close look at QB prospect Carson Wentz."