OXNARD, Calif. — If Marist Liufau was nervous, no person knew it.
All eyes have been on the Dallas Cowboys’ rookie linebacker. He acquired used to that at Notre Dame, one other nationwide, if not worldwide model. However this was the NFL, and the third-round choose had inquiries to reply.
For a couple of minutes in time with so many essential individuals watching him, he owned the second.
This had nothing to do together with his on-field capacity. It had every little thing to do together with his rendition of Chris Stapleton’s “Tennessee Whiskey” within the rookie karaoke competitors.
“I really like nation music,” Liufau stated. “Chris Stapleton, undoubtedly love his music.”
He was so good all people wished an encore. A couple of handful of occasions since opening evening, he has belted out “Tennessee Whiskey.”
“You realize what, I do not know the place it got here from,” linebackers coach Scott McCurley stated. “However he acquired up there with confidence and he ripped it. It was superior.”
Liufau is making an attempt to make the identical impression on the sector.
After the primary preseason sport in opposition to the Los Angeles Rams, defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer stated Liufau was higher in observe main into the competition.
“He’ll play good this week,” Zimmer promised.
Liufau’s efficiency in Saturday’s 27-12 preseason win in opposition to the Las Vegas Raiders supplied a glimpse into what he might change into. The official stat line credited him with simply two tackles in 16 snaps, however coach Mike McCarthy stated, “I undoubtedly felt Marist tonight, he undoubtedly flashed.”
On the second collection, Liufau sliced by the road previous beginning guard Dylan Parham to drop Zamir White for a 1-yard achieve. On second down, Liufau sprinted towards a scrambling Gardner Minshew and compelled an early throwaway. On third down, Minshew missed vast receiver Jakobi Meyers on a brief throw due to good protection by Liufau.
“[Zimmer] undoubtedly had some phrases to say to me to only play on the market,” Liufau stated. “And he knew first sport — nerves have been setting in — my first NFL sport. Issues like that. His recommendation to me was simply reduce it unfastened.”
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Maybe it helped that 14 members of his household have been at Allegiant Stadium. His dad and mom made a shock go to to Oxnard, California, for a few coaching camp practices. They’d seen him play at Notre Dame, however this was the primary alternative to see him with the star on the facet of his helmet.
“They’re plenty of the rationale I do what I do, and so making them proud is a giant cause I made it to this league,” Liufau stated.
To earn the on-field encore from Zimmer, just like the meeting-room encore for “Tennessee Whiskey,” Liufau must proceed to earn belief.
The Cowboys really feel higher about their linebacker corps this season than a 12 months in the past after DeMarvion Overshown was misplaced in the course of the preseason to a torn ACL in his left knee. In the course of the season, veteran Leighton Vander Esch was misplaced to a neck damage. He retired in March.
Now as an alternative of changing safeties to linebacker, Zimmer has a crew he believes he can pair with Eric Kendricks in sure roles.
“I believe he is a thumper, however he understands protection fairly nicely,” Zimmer stated. “I believe there’s some strain issues that we are able to do with him as nicely.”
In the course of the draft course of, Zimmer grew to like Liufau’s sport. His go to to the Cowboys previous to the draft cemented the considering of the teaching workers and group. Liufau has performed totally different linebacker spots this summer season and has been one of many “inexperienced dots” for the coach-to-player communication system.
“Day-after-day I really feel extra snug,” Liufau stated. “Day-after-day I am placing extra work into studying our scheme and being snug with our calls.”
