If you‘re a fan of the Dallas Cowboys, you‘ve probably asked yourself more than once – how old is Dak Prescott? As he has risen to become the franchise quarterback in Dallas, Dak Prescott‘s age and background story intrigues fans. This extensive article will give you a deep dive into Dak‘s journey from his early days growing up in Louisiana to now commanding the Cowboys at just 30 years old. We‘ll explore all the key moments, records, setbacks and triumphs that have defined his ascension to stardom. After reading, you‘ll have a complete picture of the man behind the #4 jersey and understand why Jerry Jones believes he‘s found the next great Cowboys QB.
Introduction
- Dak Prescott is currently the 30-year-old starting quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys
- Hailing from Sulphur, Louisiana, Dak starred at Mississippi State before being drafted by Dallas in 2016
- A record-setting rookie year put him on the map before injuries hampered the last two seasons
- With age on his side, Dak looks to guide the Cowboys back to championship contention
How Old is Dak Prescott?
- Dak Prescott was born on July 29, 1993 in Sulphur, Louisiana
- As of October 2022, Dak is 30 years old
- After turning 30 this summer, he is in the prime of his career with plenty of good years left
- Dak‘s zodiac sign is Leo, known for courage, leadership and determination
Now you know the answer to "how old is Dak Prescott" – but his age is just one part of his remarkable story. Let‘s dive deeper into his background, rise to stardom, and quest to cement his Cowboys legacy.
Early Life and Upbringing in Louisiana
Dak Prescott grew up in the small town of Sulphur, Louisiana as the youngest child of Nathaniel and Peggy Prescott. Football ran deep in the Prescott family‘s blood. Dak‘s father Nathaniel was a standout quarterback himself at Alcorn State in the 1970s. Dak first started playing organized youth football at age 12 and soon realized he had inherited the family‘s talent for slinging the pigskin.
As a high schooler at Haughton High, Dak starred as a multi-sport athlete in football, baseball and basketball. But the gridiron is where he truly shined. Dak took over as the team‘s starting QB as a junior and never looked back. He led Haughton all the way to the 2010 Louisiana state championship, falling just short in a heartbreaker. His senior season included an astounding 45 touchdown passes.
Beyond his rocket arm, Dak also flashed elite athleticism as a dangerous dual-threat QB. He ran track and was one of the state‘s top high jumpers with a personal best leap of 6 feet, 5 inches. Dak‘s small town roots helped instill the humility and relentless work ethic that would propel him to success in the NFL down the road.
Putting Up Big Numbers at Mississippi State
Coming out of high school in 2011, Dak was rated a 3-star recruit by Rivals and chose to play college football close to home at Mississippi State. After redshirting his first year on campus, he saw limited action as a backup his redshirt freshman season before taking over the starting job in 2013.
Over the next three years, Dak set school records in Starkville while also putting up some of the biggest numbers in the ultra-competitive SEC conference.
| Season | Passing Yards | Passing TDs | Comp. Pct. | QB Rating | Rushing Yards | Rushing TDs | Total TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sophomore | 3,449 | 27 | 61.6% | 151.2 | 986 | 14 | 37 |
| Junior | 3,793 | 29 | 66.2% | 154.3 | 588 | 14 | 41 |
| Senior | 3,353 | 29 | 66.2% | 151.6 | 588 | 10 | 39 |
He finished his career with a school-record 113 total touchdowns, made multiple All-SEC teams, and won the 2015 SEC Offensive Player of the Year award. His three seasons starting for the Bulldogs all rank in the top five for passing yards and passing TDs in MSU history. Compared to his peers, Dak compiled over 11,500 total yards and 97 touchdowns – numbers that stacked up very favorably against the likes of future NFL stars like Jameis Winston, AJ McCarron and Johnny Manziel playing in the SEC during that time.
Dak graduated in December 2015 with a bachelor‘s degree in educational psychology, always focused on his education despite the demands of being the Bulldogs‘ star quarterback. With his college career complete, Dak prepared for the 2016 NFL Draft aiming to prove he could bring his prolific production to the pros.
Drafted by the Cowboys in the Fourth Round
Heading into the 2016 NFL Draft, Dak Prescott found himself in a difficult position. Despite his first-round talent and accomplishments in the SEC, concerns about his size (6‘2" and 226 pounds) and playing in a simpler college offense caused him to be overlooked. Dak ended up being drafted in the fourth round with the 135th overall pick by the Dallas Cowboys.
Initially, it looked like Dak would sit for a couple seasons behind veteran Cowboys starter Tony Romo. But when Romo suffered a preseason back injury that sidelined him for several games, Dak was unexpectedly thrust into the starting lineup right away as a rookie.
Rather than being overwhelmed, Dak embraced the challenge. He calmly led Dallas to a 3-1 start, playing with poise well beyond his years. Romo returned briefly before re-injuring his back, handing the keys back to Dak for the rest of 2016. Under intense pressure, Dak continued to excel and ended up leading the Cowboys on an 11-game winning streak.
By season‘s end, Dak had posted one of the greatest rookie seasons by a quarterback in NFL history:
- 3,667 passing yards (Cowboys rookie record)
- 23 passing touchdowns (Cowboys rookie record)
- 4 interceptions and a 104.9 passer rating (NFL rookie record)
- 15 rushing touchdowns (NFL QB rookie record)
- 13 wins (tied NFL rookie record)
Dak was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and made the Pro Bowl. It was an astonishing debut that rapidly changed his trajectory from depth QB to franchise cornerstone in Dallas.
Becoming an Elite Passer in Dallas
While Dak may never match the astronomical stats from his freshman NFL campaign, he has proven it was no fluke by developing into one of the top passers in pro football. In his five healthy seasons as the starter, Dak has averaged 4,122 passing yards and 29 touchdowns with a stellar 97.3 passer rating.
Dak has made three Pro Bowls so far and emerged as a clutch performer late in games, compiling 19 game-winning drives and 23 fourth-quarter comebacks. He has the speed to burn defenses as a runner, setting the Cowboys‘ franchise record for QB rushing yards and rushing TDs. In 2020, Dak took another leap and set career highs with 4,902 yards, 30 TDs and a 108.2 rating that ranked second in the NFL.
While critics point out Dak‘s lack of multiple Super Bowl rings, it is worth noting that other top active QBs like Aaron Rodgers, Matt Ryan and Matthew Stafford all won their lone title in their late 20s or 30s. There is still ample time for Dak to cement his legacy in Dallas with the right pieces around him.
Battling Through Injuries
Unfortunately for Dak, injuries have hampered the last two seasons just as he entered his prime. In 2020, he suffered a devastating ankle injury that ended his season after just five games. Dak attacked rehab aggressively and resumed light throwing just three months after surgery. He proved any doubters wrong by starting Week 1 the following year.
More adversity struck in 2021 when Dak strained his throwing shoulder, forcing him to miss five more games. His final stats of 1,813 yards and 16 TDs in 11 games were underwhelming. However, he displayed characteristic toughness by playing through lingering pain late in the year.
Now entering his age 30 season, Dak‘s health remains somewhat precarious. But when fully right, he has shown the ability to perform as well as any passer in the league. As long as he can avoid further major injuries, Dak‘s best days may still lie ahead.
Earning Respect as a Leader and Competitor
Ever since he won the starting job as a rookie, Dak has earned widespread respect as a leader and competitor. He sets the tone for the Cowboys with his tireless work ethic, film study habits, and commitment to constant improvement.
Rather than being rattled by the pressures of replacing Tony Romo, Dak has embraced the high expectations that come with being the Dallas quarterback. He deals with both success and adversity with maturity beyond his years.
Here‘s just a sample of what coaches and teammates have said about Dak‘s leadership ability:
"He‘s the leader of our team…a complete quarterback who leads by example through his toughness, grit and determination." – Coach Mike McCarthy
"Guys gravitate towards him and follow him. When your quarterback has that kind of leadership, it gives you a chance every week." – Offensive tackle Tyron Smith
"Dak is the heartbeat of our locker room…he never gets too high or too low, just puts his head down and grinds." – Running back Ezekiel Elliott
As he enters the peak of his career, Dak‘s combination of skills and intangibles make him the ideal centerpiece in Dallas for years to come.
Breaking Records With $160 Million Contract
After his dazzling rookie campaign, Dak spent his first four NFL seasons significantly underpaid, making just $2.1 million total on his rookie deal. But in 2021, the Cowboys made Dak one of the highest-paid players in league history with a four-year, $160 million contract extension averaging $40 million per season.
His $75 million signing bonus broke Aaron Rodgers‘ previous record for the largest ever. Dak‘s 2022 salary is $20 million, rising annually to $31 million in 2025. The record-shattering deal brings huge expectations, but also provides long-term stability for the player Jerry Jones believes can lead the team back to championship glory.
Some pundits argue Dak has not fully proven he deserves to be one of the top 3 paid QBs. But his consistent production and value as a leader offset any flaws. Having signed through 2025, Dak now has the runway and supporting cast needed to cement his place among the NFL‘s elite quarterbacks.
Top Performances and Records
With many prime years still ahead, Dak has already delivered his share of superstar performances and set numerous team records along the way:
- 19 game-winning drives and 23 fourth-quarter comebacks
- Holds Cowboys franchise record for rushing yards (1,320) and rushing TDs (25) by a QB
- 5-touchdown games in Weeks 13 and 14 of 2018, just the 5th QB ever with back-to-back 5 TD games
- Threw for 387 yards and 4 TDs vs. Seattle in 2018 playoffs
- Passed for 502 yards vs. Giants in 2018, second-most passing yards in franchise history
- 455 yards passing and 3 TDs in comeback win over Falcons in 2020
- Playoff win on road in Tampa Bay during 2018 wild card round
Dak already ranks in the top five in Cowboys history in both career passing yards and passing touchdowns. At his current pace, he could retire holding virtually every significant franchise passing record. For a player who has faced more than his share of doubters, Dak Prescott has already put together an outstanding start to his NFL tenure.
Outlook for the Future
Now that you know the answer to "how old is Dak Prescott", it‘s clear the 30-year-old quarterback still has plenty of potential peak years ahead. If he can maintain his health and remain in Dallas long-term, all of the pieces are in place for Dak to go down as the greatest Cowboys passer since Troy Aikman.
In 2022, the return of offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and addition of WR CeeDee Lamb as Dak‘s new #1 target have many predicting big numbers for him this season. Barring another major injury, he should have an excellent shot at Comeback Player of the Year.
Looking ahead, Dak figures to remain among the top 5-7 NFL quarterbacks over the next 5+ seasons. By his mid-30s he could approach or surpass 45,000 career passing yards and close to 300 touchdowns. Of course, the thing that would seal Dak‘s legacy is bringing another Lombardi Trophy home to Dallas.
With his skills, leadership, and competitive spirit, Dak Prescott gives the Cowboys as good a chance as anyone to get back to the Super Bowl summit. We‘ve all wondered from time to time – how old is Dak Prescott? But now we know he‘s right in his prime and ready to write further history in Dallas.
