KaVontae Turpin 'A Special Little Guy!' Dallas Cowboys Coach Mike McCarthy Evaluation

KaVontae Turpin 'A Special Little Guy!' Dallas Cowboys Coach Mike McCarthy Evaluation

All offseason, we heard that Dallas Cowboys return specialist KaVonate Turpin was "more than just a return guy.'' Head coach Mike McCarthy called Turpin a "Rocketship" with the ball in his hands, and it only made sense to continue to work to find a way to put that to use on offense.

And it's happening, as the second-year man and Pro Bowl returner who put a challenging past behind him to jump from the USFL to "America's Team'' did it again in Dallas' 45-10 Thanksgiving Day win.

Turpin as he was on the end of a 34-yard rope from Dak Prescott against the Washington Commanders as he hauled in his third receiving touchdown of the season. ... all part of a blowout that, with KaVontae's score, brought the "secret'' turkey legs out of the Salvation Army kettles.

“Things are different,'' McCarthy said, reflecting on Turpin's development. "Turp's so much more than a than a returner ... a young man that there's tremendous amount of love and respect for.''

Part of the respect is the result of the speedster's lack of size; Turpin, who played at TCU, is 5-9 and recently told CowboysSI.com that he's added 10 pounds to get up to 162.

Those dimensions present some challenges when it comes to getting the elusive sprinter downfield, but ...

"I'm so happy he caught that post because for a man of his stature, he's about as good as a vertical inside runner that I’ve coached,'' McCarthy said. "He's a factor, and he'll continue to grow, and that's exciting. Really happy for him.”

Cowboys receiver KaVontae Turpin is becoming a useful weapon for the offense :: Tim Heitman/USA TODAY Sports

With the kind of raw speed that Turpin possesses, it would have been a waste to solely use his as a returner, and getting the ball in his hands is yet another lever that McCarthy can pull for the "Texas Coast Offense."

KaVontae Turpin goes in the end zone … and then in the KETTLE (at Jake Ferguson’s urging) pic.twitter.com/Rukg9ZmcRy

— Joseph Hoyt (@JoeJHoyt) November 24, 2023

Last season, Turpin played 62 offensive snaps in 17 games. Through 10 games this season, he has 95 snaps, and they don't just come in the passing game.

The "Rocketship" has 113 receiving yards on 10 catches this season (eight of which have been for first downs, mind you), and when running the football, Turpin has 79 yards and a touchdown on just eight carries. 

“Turp,'' McCarthy said, "is a special little guy.''