5 College Football Studs Who Can Turn Dallas Cowboys Around

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It's what every fan wants. 

It's that big-time college football player, that stud whose performance can change the trajectory of an entire franchise.

The Dallas Cowboys could surely use a player like that. And what team wouldn't want one? Only problem is, those studs are hard to find.

So if you're searching for a stud who could excel for Cowboys, you've come to the right place. Here's a list of five players to get you started.

1. Montee Ball (RB)

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The woeful Dallas Cowboys rushing attack sputtered to the tune of 79.1 yards per game in 2012, good for 31st in the NFL.

Between the oft-injured DeMarco Murray and the ineffective Felix Jones, the Dallas Cowboys sure could use a stud running back to reverse their fortunes.

Enter Montee Ball.

A well-written piece by Bucky Brooks of NFL.com gives explanation to why Ball will prove to be a force in the NFL despite his second-to-third-round draft projection.

Essentially, Ball would be the perfect fit for the current Cowboys' backfield situation. As a capable replacement back when Murray misses time with injury and a huge upgrade over Felix Jones as the change-of-pace back, the Wisconsin product would give new life to the Dallas rushing attack.

2. Alex Okafor (DE)

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With the recent hire of Monte Kiffin as their new defensive coordinator, the Dallas Cowboys will be making the switch to a 4-3 on the defensive side of the ball.

What that means is the Cowboys will be lining up one additional pass-rusher on the line of scrimmage, (most likely DeMarcus Ware) and certainly looking to put more pressure on opposing quarterbacks than they mustered in 2012.

This explains how the 6'4", 260-pound Okafor could be a difference-maker for the Cowboys in 2013. An explosive defensive end has the ability to individually turn any given game upside down.

Just ask Oklahoma State.

3. Ezekiel Ansah (DE)

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Take everything that you just read from Alex Okafor's slide and copy it here.

Then just change Alex Okafor's name to Ezekiel Ansah.

Voila.

If the Cowboys decide to go the defensive end route with their first-round pick in the draft, ending up with either Okafor or the equally-powerful Ansah would be a welcoming sight.

Choosing between the two is like deciding whether you'd rather eat Pizza Hut or Papa John's pizza.  Both are excellent selections, it's just a matter of preference.

4. Barkevious Mingo (OLB)

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The chances of Barkevious Mingo falling to the Cowboys at the 18th pick?

Very slim.

The chances of the Cowboys trading up to draft another LSU defensive player?

Equally unlikely.

But when it comes to a stud who would surely be able to turn the Cowboys around, no one seems more freakishly gifted than Mingo.

The 6'5", 250-pound monster, has turned in a notable 4.46 in the 40-yard dash. With his combination of size, strength, and speed Mingo will certainly be a weekly havoc-wreaker come Sundays.

5. Barrett Jones (C)

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It's no secret that the Cowboys' offensive line has crippled them in recent memory. The only reliable piece that remains on their line is left tackle Tyron Smith.

Consequently, adding offensive linemen via the draft is a must for the Cowboys.

And what better way to turn around the team than with drafting Alabama center Barrett Jones?

Jones paved the way for the Crimson Tide rushing attack to rack up 265 yards against Notre Dame, and he has been an All-American at three different offensive line positions in the last three years.

It doesn't get more studlier than that, folks.