Tag: Marist Liufau

Cowboys 3rd-round rookies’ fate depends on important shared trait

Both Cooper Beebe and Marist Liufau boast elite IQs which will be key to their success with the Cowboys, says @ReidDHanson.

The Cowboys had two third-round picks to play with in the 2024 NFL draft. Pick No. 73 was acquired from Detroit when the Lions moved up five spots in the first to snag the falling cornerback, Terrion Arnold. Pick No. 87 was Dallas’ own.

After selecting offensive tackle Tyler Guyton in the first round and defensive end Marshawn Kneeland in the second, the pressure was on the third round to deliver two more key contributors. At No. 73 the Cowboys selected Cooper Beebe, a guard from Kansas State. At No. 87 they picked Marist Liufau, a linebacker from Notre Dame.

Odds of success fall drastically as the draft moves out of the top 150 and since the Cowboys traded away their fourth-round pick to acquire Trey Lance last season, Dallas would have to wait 87 picks between their final third rounder and their first and only fifth rounder. To put it plainly, they couldn’t afford to miss with either pick.

The Cowboys could have gone a number of different directions in the third round. They had needs at defensive tackle and running back that each demanded consideration. But it was center and linebacker that ultimately won out, with two of their favorite prospects falling right into their laps.

At face value, the two selections couldn’t be any more different. One player was a stout 322-pound offensive lineman from the Midwest. The other was a trim 234-pound tackling machine out of Kalihi, Hawaii. One was considered a steal. The other was thought to be a reach.

But a common trait shared by both was what resides between their respective ears. Even though one came from cornfields and the other from the Pacific waters, one played offense and the other played defense, one made tackles and the other warded off tacklers, both were cognitively elite prospects.

Liufau, an academic standout from the University of Notre Dame is both a hard worker and mentally gifted. Beebe, a finalist for the William V. Campbell award (Academic Heisman) and working on his graduate degree, is no slouch by any definition.

OC is a notoriously demanding position. It requires players to make pre-snap reads, call out blocking assignments for teammates and execute personal assignments in the process. There’s a reason why the average Wonderlic score of NFL OCs rate second overall.

LB might not be as mentally demanding as OC, but intelligence is equally as important. IQ is typically what separates the busts from the success stories. LBs often relay play calls to the defense, make adjustments at the line and execute without the slightest hesitation. The most talented LB in the world is almost worthless if he doesn’t have the IQ to support it.

Without reading too much into news out of the Cowboys 2024 rookie minicamp, it seems both of the Cowboys’ third-round picks stood out for their intelligence. For as different as they are as individuals, they are similar in the smarts factor. Combined with strong work ethics, these two rookies are seemingly starting out on the right foot in Dallas.

The quicker Beebe and Liufau grasp the mental side of things, the quicker they can put their skills to the test and carve out roles on the team. Expectations are Beebe will win the starting OC spot and Liufau will get in the LB rotation this season. They’re lofty goals for rookies but not unattainable given the intelligence both possess.

If there’s one trait that’s going to push these two third-round picks into the winner’s circle, it’s their intelligence. Physical ability and work ethic go without saying but it’s intelligence that stands to make the difference.

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Notre Dame in NFL – Cowboys Wire Grades Marist Liufau Pick

How are the Cowboys liking the Liufau pick?

Seven Notre Dame players heard their names called in this past weekend’s NFL draft with the third of those being linebacker Marist Liufau.

Liufau was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the third round Friday night, going 87th overall.

We’ve discussed Liufau at length here at Fighting Irish Wire but how are Cowboys fans feeling about the mid-round pick?  Here is what Ben Larimore of Cowboys Wire had to say about the pick:

Grade: B-

With the No. 87 pick the Cowboys selected Notre Dame linebacker Marist Liufau. He was the last remaining healthy linebacker with a decent combination of size and speed with starting potential remaining in the draft. Liufau’s most impressive metric is his 34-inch arms, and he uses them in coverage to take over passing lanes and make plays on the football. He’s a down hill, physical linebacker and at 240 pounds is capable of playing middle linebacker or on the strong side.

Larimore adds more about the pick if you read the piece.  Liufau was certainly Notre Dame’s most athletic starting linebacker in 2023 but Cowboys fans will hope to see some of his football instincts continue to grow in Dallas.

Here’s where Cowboys’ Day 2 selections will fit in depth chart

Where the Day 2 picks for the Dallas Cowboys could fit in the depth chart for the 2024 season. | From @cdpiglet

The Dallas Cowboys began the draft with three top 100 picks, but a trade back from pick No. 24 to pick No. 29 added an early third-round selection to their haul. Most saw Dallas’s top needs heading into Day 2 as running back, linebacker, and defensive tackle, but instead the Cowboys took a powerful edge prospect from Western Michigan, Marshawn Kneeland.

Kneeland has a clear spot on the depth chart vacated by Dorance Armstrong’s signing with the Washington Commanders. Micah Parsons and Demarcus Lawrence are the team’s top-edge rushers; Sam Williams is a rotational piece that the team needs to step up. Kneeland lands right there in a battle with Williams for snaps.

He projets to be similar to Lawrence as a plus run stopper and then uses power and a relentless motor to get pressure on opposing quarterbacks. He might also slide inside on pass-rush downs to add an extra pass-rush element to the defensive line. Kneeland can also play a role opposite Lawrence if Parsons plays more snaps at off-ball linebacker. If Parsons starts as a linebacker, Kneeland’s ability to set an edge could make him the starter over Sam Williams.

Dallas got their best value at pick No. 73 with Kansas State offensive lineman Cooper Beebe. Beebe was very flexible in college, playing offensive tackle and offensive guard, but his shorter arms and lack of athleticism in the NFL will keep him as an interior-only option for Dallas. They already are set with two All-Pro offensive guards, making Beebe battle inside at center.

He was a second-round player on plenty of boards and is likely to outperform both T.J. Bass or Brock Hoffman for the center position. If something doesn’t go as planned and Smith has to move outside, Beebe could start at LG without an issue. If this year he plays as a back then his role could end up being Zack Martin’s replacement.

Notre Dame linebacker Marist Liufau was the Cowboy’s final draft pick of Day 2 at No. 87, and his position on the depth chart could fluctuate depending on the performance of other linebackers and safety options.

The easiest spot would be at linebacker if one of the starters were performing poorly, whether it is a falloff by Eric Kendricks, DeMarvion Overshown not being able to play well coming back from injury, or Damone Clark continuing to struggle to start his career. If any of those things occur, Liufau could move in to play any of their roles. He also can play the Jayron Kearse role if Mike Zimmer wants to keep that role in his defense, as Liufau has the athleticism to play in coverage with tight ends and has zero issues getting into a gap to bring down a ball carrier.

He has an excellent mix of instincts, ability to blitz, and cover, and he will hit the opposing team hard as much as possible, so he has all the flexibility a team could ask for. To begin with, he will definitely have a role on the special teams unit.

Lights, Camera: Best action shots of Cowboys Round 2, Round 3 selections

Select photos from the Cowboys’ Day 2 selections.

The Dallas Cowboys had three picks on Friday, selecting once in the second round and twice in the third. They walked away with a defensive end, center and linebacker, mixing in immediate need filling with players who may be better served getting a bit of experience before being asked to take on crucial roles.

Marshawn Kneeland from Western Michigan will learn behind DeMarcus Lawrence while Marist Tiufau is set to study behind Eric Kendricks at linebacker. Meanwhile, Kansas State’s Cooper Beebe may be thrust into a starting center role as soon as he touches down in Dallas. Take a look at some photos from the college careers of the newest Cowboys.

NFL Draft – Cowboys take Notre Dame linebacker in third round

Congrats Marist!

In the third round of the 2024 NFL draft, the Dallas Cowboys selected Notre Dame linebacker [autotag]Marist Liufau[/autotag]. He was the 87th pick, the third former Notre Dame player selected and the first former Irish defender taken in this draft.

Liufau started the last two seasons at Notre Dame and recorded 44 sacks in 2023. He was a semifinalist for the Dick Butkus Award, given each year to the nation’s top linebacker, partly due to the tackles but also his versatility in pass defense and ability to get after the quarterback. He added six tackles for loss.

Liufau played in 39 games during his time at Notre Dame, making 118 career tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and an interception.

Cowboys draft Notre Dame linebacker Marist Liufau at No. 87

The Dallas Cowboys selected linebacker Marist Liufau with the 87th pick in the 2024 NFL draft. | From @BenGrimaldi

With the 87th pick in the 2024 NFL draft, and with their second pick in the third-round, the Dallas Cowboys selected Notre Dame linebacker Marist Liufau.

The Cowboys entered the offseason with a major need at LB and Liufau gives the defense another addition at the position, along with veteran LB Eric Kendricks. Liufau is the second defensive player taken on Day 2 of the draft and it’s clear new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer is trying to improve the team’s defense. After being bullied in the middle of the field in 2023, Zimmer and the Cowboys are determined to not let that happen again.

Liufau will compete with veteran LB Damone Clark and last year’s third-round selection DeMarvion Overshown for playing time. Starting 25 games in the last two seasons at Notre Dame, Liufau did a little bit of everything; he can run sideline-to-sideline, is good in coverage, and is a capable blitzer. Liufau also has a high IQ for the game.

With Kendricks only around on a one-year contract, Liufau plays a similar style and could be his eventual successor. The Cowboys just got a little deeper at LB.

Quick look at 2024 NFL draft landscape at linebacker for Packers

The Packers need linebackers. The best avenue for adding at this point? The 2024 draft.

Brian Gutekunst went to the market to sign a veteran linebacker to pair with Quay Walker and Isaiah McDuffie. Unfortunately, Green Bay’s general manager discovered that the linebacker aisle was picked over, like the toy aisle the day before Christmas. 

With the linebacker market barren, the Packers will likely need to trade for a veteran or use the draft to bolster the linebacker room at 1265 Lombardi Avenue. Let’s take a look at some linebackers that the Packers could target in the 2024 NFL draft.

Potential Target at 25

Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M

Cooper is an explosive mover and a true difference-maker. He can impact the game as a run defender, as a blitzer, or in coverage. If Cooper were to land in Green Bay he’d be the best linebacker on the roster, and no that’s not a shot at Walker. It’s a credit to Cooper. 

Cooper may be viewed as a bit of a reach in the first round, but the same thing can be said about Eric Stokes, Quay Walker, etc. Cooper would be a home run pick at 41, but Gutekunst may see the value in taking the impactful linebacker with the 25th overall pick. 

Day 2 Targets

Cedric Gray, UNC

Gray was all over the field this past season for the Tar Heels. He recorded 121 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and five sacks. The UNC linebacker works his way through the trash against the run and has the movement skills to hold up in coverage.

Junior Colson, Michigan

Mr. Always in the Right Place at the Right Time, Colson would be a steady presence in the middle of Green Bay’s defense. Colson is comfortable dropping in space and does a good job of reading the quarterback’s eyes. He has the range as a run defender to shut-down outside runs and is a reliable tackler. He is quick to diagnose and beats blockers to the spot. 

Payton Wilson, NC State

Every team could use a Payton Wilson. If he had a clean bill of health (two leg injuries), he’d be in the Potential Target at 25 tier with Cooper. The NC State product is the complete package at linebacker. He’s a physical, downhill defender against the run and he has the movement skills to hold up in coverage.

Day 3 Targets

Edefuan Ulofoshio, Washington

From walk-on to captain, Ulofoshio had quite the journey during his time at Washington. The Alaska native is all heart and his motor is always running. He trusts his eyes and is quick to react to meet ball carriers in the hole. The Husky linebacker shows good instincts in coverage.

Jordan Magee, Temple

Magee isn’t a hulking linebacker, but he has the functional strength to destroy blocks and disrupt the action. He’s a smart player that is quick to read and react. The Temple linebacker gets good depth on his drops and looks comfortable moving laterally. Magee logged 307 snaps on special teams during his collegiate career and could carve out a role in that regard immediately as a rookie. 

Marist Liufau, Notre Dame

Liufau plays like his hair is on fire and is relentless in his pursuit of the ball carrier. He has the sideline-to-sideline quickness and is comfortable dropping into space.

Trevin Wallace, Kentucky

Wallace is an outstanding athlete with the sideline-to-sideline range to chase down ball carriers. A former track athlete, Wallace is the type of prospect that Gutekunst has a history of targeting. If his instincts ever catch up to his athletic traits, Wallace could develop into quite the difference-maker at the next level.

Curtis Jacobs, Penn State

A team will roll the dice on the Penn State linebacker’s athletic traits. With his quickness and his experience on special teams, it’s a safe bet that he could develop into a core player on special teams. Jacobs is a twitched-up athlete with the movement skills to hold up on coverage. 

JD Bertrand, Notre Dame

Bertrand is a cerebral player who trusts his eyes and is quick to read the action. He’s a downhill player, who does a good job of sifting through the trash to locate the ball carrier. With his instincts, relentless motor and special teams experience, Bertrand would be a solid addition to Green Bay’s linebacker room. 

NFL Draft: Notre Dame’s Marist Liufau would help Ravens fill LB void

the Ravens should consider Marist Liufau of Notre Dame, as a middle round pick to help shore up Inside Linebacker depth.

For every significant free agent departure in March, a new need is created to address at the draft in April. Jonathan Queen has left the Baltimore Ravens for the divisional rival Pittsburgh Steelers, leaving a new void at inside linebacker.

Queen will be tough to replace, as he was the only player in the NFL with 15+ QB pressures (18) and five pass breakups last season. He’s never missed a game during his four years in the league, and this past season, he set a new career high in tackles with 133.

This isn’t the most robust class for ILBs, and Baltimore likely won’t find the heir apparent to Queen in the draft, but they could rebuild depth at the ILB position during the middle rounds of the draft. With that in mind, the Ravens should consider Marist Liufau of Notre Dame.

As it is currently the season of Lent, it’s worth noting just how fitting it is that a guy named Marist played his college ball at the nation’s most well-known Catholic program.

And Notre Dame has an established pipeline to Baltimore. It may not be as extensive as ND’s pipeline to the Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers, but it’s substantial.

Three former Fighting Irish are on the roster: S Kyle Hamilton, C Sam Mustipher, and LT Ronnie Stanley. Hamilton could be on his way to becoming the best overall safety in football.

Stanley was once potentially in that conversation before a rash of injuries caused his quality to drop considerably. Mustipher is a player who has shuttled between the active roster and the practice squad.

With St. Patrick’s Day coming up, many people will soon be getting a little more Irish, and perhaps the Ravens could as well by taking Liufau in a middle round next month. Walter Football ranks him the #2 overall prospect at his position, but he still often grades out as a late day two, early day-three prospect.

Inside linebackers are typically not valued as highly as their outside counterparts, mainly because today’s NFL pays a premium for pass rushers, and most OLBs (or at least the good ones) possess that skill set.

 

10 players to watch on Reese’s Senior Bowl National team’s defense

From Penn State CB Kalen King to UCLA OLB Laiatu Latu, these 10 players from the National team at the Senior Bowl are ones to keep an eye on

One of the most important events on the National Football League calendar is the Senior Bowl. Held the week after the conference championship games, it is the true beginning of the NFL draft cycle.

Not only do scouts and analysts like us get to see over 100 draft prospects in one place competing against each other, but it’s also an opportunity for analysts and personnel alike to get together and have discussions about a number of topics.

As we look forward to this year’s Senior Bowl, managing editor Tyler Forness will be there in person to break everything down.

During the week, these 10 players on the National Team’s defense are worth keeping your eye on.

Who is missing from Notre Dame in Sun Bowl via opt-out?

These names could be in the Sun Bowl, but they won’t be.

It’s become increasingly common for college football players to opt out of inconsequential bowl games for one reason or another. With the College Football Playoff field tripling in size next year, that could solve the problem a bit, at least as far as the number of team this practice impacts. This is the future of college football, even if you don’t agree with it.

With Notre Dame facing Oregon State in the Sun Bowl, several Irish players are missing, either having entered the transfer portal or choosing to focus on preparing for the NFL draft. That means many of the Irish’s leaders in each major statistical category will be absent, so it’s not worth listing a bunch of names that won’t play.

Instead, we’re going to list the percentage of each major statistic that will be missing from the Irish during the final game of the season because of opt-outs. Hopefully, this won’t discourage you from watching the game too much: