Dallas Cowboys pick Notre Dame LB Marist Liufau in Round 3 of 2024 NFL draft. What to know
The Dallas Cowboys drafted Notre Dame LB Marist Liufau with the 87th pick of the 2024 NFL draft. Liufau played his entire five-year collegiate career at Notre Dame.
Here's what Dallas Cowboys fans need to know about Liufau and our instant analysis of the pick.
Marist Liufau 40 time
Liufau attended the NFL Combine and finished the 40-yard dash in 4.64 seconds and his 10-yard split in 1.59.
What kind of player is Marist Liufau?
After missing all of 2021 with a major injury to his lower right leg (broken fibula and dislocated ankle), Liufau returned to lead the Irish with 646 defensive snaps in 2022. He ranked third in defensive snaps with 595 in 2023, and his 24 consecutive starts was the longest active streak on the defense before he skipped the Sun Bowl. A physical presence with coverage skills and pass-rushing ability (40 career pressures), Liufau came through the same high school program as Irish LB great Manti Te’o. Liufau contributed 335 career plays on special teams, which should boost his NFL value.
Marist Liufau's highlights at Notre Dame
Facing Navy’s triple option, Liufau opened his senior year with a seven-tackle showing in Dublin, Ireland as Notre Dame rolled to a 42-3 win. Pro Football Focus graded him at 82.5%, which he surpassed just once in his college career (Senior Day 2022 against Boston College). Liufau had eight tackles against the Midshipmen in 2022 as the Irish held on for a 35-32 win in Baltimore, but PFF.com was less enamored with his work that afternoon.
More: Dallas Cowboys draft picks: Grades for selections in 2024 NFL Draft
How did Marist Liufau do at the NFL Draft Combine?
Timed at 4.64 seconds in the 40-yard dash, tied for 10th at his position group; posted a 30-inch vertical at Notre Dame’s Pro Day that would have tied for last among the 17 LBs to test at the combine; 9-foot broad jump would’ve ranked last.
Marist Liufau height
Liufau is 6-foot-2.
Marist Liufau weight
Liufau weighs 234 lbs.
Marist Liufau college stats
A two-year starter, in his senior year Liufau had 44 tackles, six tackles for loss with three sacks and two pass breakups. He had 51 tackles as a full-time starter his junior year.
Mike Berardino contributed to this report
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Player draft profile: Details about Dallas Cowboys' Marist Liufau
