When Marist Liufau first made his NFL debut in summer of 2024, the Dallas Cowboys thought they found a steal. The Notre Dame linebacker was pure electricity from the start. Explosiveness, effort and athleticism were all on display, fueling excitement for what he might one day become.
At 6-foot-2, 239-pounds, Liufau fit the mold of a modern-day LB: lean enough to stay fluid in coverage but stout enough to hold up against the run. The hope was with a little polish and discipline he could soon become an every-down player for Dallas. Yet, instead of biting off a bigger piece in his second year, Liufau fell out of the rotation, watching his snap count drop from 47 percent in 2024 to 18 percent in 2025.
What was once a tantalizing prospect destined for an exciting career, was quickly becoming an afterthought, lucky to break into a rotation again. For better or for worse Liufau’s story resembles that of another LB prospect the Cowboys once had. A prospect who looked like a steal and whose future in Dallas looked bright. A prospect who eventually slipped right off the depth chart and into the arms of a different team before his rookie contract was even complete.
In 2022, two years prior to Liufau, the Cowboys drafted another LB who had Cowboys Nation buzzing. Damone Clark, drafted in the fifth round out of LSU, looked like he may be the steal of the draft. If it wasn’t for a last-minute spinal fusion surgery that March, Clark would have easily been a lock for Day 2. But back surgeries are risky business so one of the best LB prospects in the class fell right to Dallas late in the draft.
The 6-foot-3, 240-pound prospect was an all-around player, complete with the leadership and athleticism required to be a three-down player in the NFL. What Clark gave the Cowboys instead was a plateau before the progression. After playing 73 percent of snaps in 2023 (his first full season), Clark slipped to 18 percent and 15 percent the next two seasons. It eventually led to his departure midway through 2025 and now leaves his career in limbo.
LB is a fickle position in the NFL. One minute you’re the next great hope, the next you’re yesterday’s news. For Liufau, he’s coming dangerously close to falling into the second category. Already nearly an afterthought, upgrading the LB position is of highest priority in Dallas. Aside from DeMarvion Overshown, there isn’t a clear starter of the bunch on the Cowboys. It’s likely additions will be made in both free agency and the draft this offseason offering Liufau plenty of challengers in his bid to regain relevance.
It seems as if a prospect who isn’t moving forward, is moving backwards and that’s a cautionary tale Liufau would be wise to remember.
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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys Marist Liufau is following the script of a previous LB hopeful
Reporting by Reid D Hanson, Cowboys Wire / Cowboys Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
