When the Dallas Cowboys selected linebacker Marist Liufau in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, it was widely considered a tad too early, and many graded the pick as one of the worst of the team's class.
But the Cowboys, who have shown time and time again they're one of the best front offices when it comes specifically to picking players in April, have shown a lot of conviction in picking Liufau.
While there are many factors that go into play for that pick, there's one specific trait everyone in the building seems to agree about: Liufau is one heck of a smart football player.
Liufau's IQ was brought up by the Cowboys since the moment they picked him, starting with his very own phone call with defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, who always appreciates a savvy linebacker (see Eric Kendricks!).
"You sold me when you told me what everybody on the defense was doing when you were here," Zimmer told Liufau over the phone.
His position coach also brought up Liufau's smarts the moment he was asked about his first impressions on the rookie ahead of OTAs, which have been underway for the Cowboys since last week.
"Very exceptional football IQ, really smart guy," McCurley explained to reporters. "For as little as we've been able to do on the field right now, he's really excelled at picking it up in the meeting room and during walkthroughs, and in the limited time we've been able to get out there. I'm really excited about his summer and what he can get to, but he's off to a good start."
Liufau's biggest question marks during his draft process were all about his vision and gap discipline but all that can be developed by the Cowboys while the third-round rookie awaits his shot at taking the field on defense. With Kendricks signing in free agency and DeMarvion Overshown coming back, the team has the starting lineup along with Damone Clark to be patient with the Notre Dame product.
Not only has Liufau impressed his coaches but his teammates as well. Kendricks, who is joining as the veteran that will play middle linebacker and most likely wear the ever-important green dot on his helmet, pointed to a similar thing when talking to the media.
"Humble kid, humble rookie," Kendricks said. "He pays attention to the details, communicates well, and I can't wait to see what he's got going on."
Marist receiving all of this praise shouldn't be overlooked. While he's not expected to be a game-changing player as a rookie, his high football IQ and communication skills make it easy to project him as a future middle linebacker in the league as long as he puts everything together on the field, which could absolutely happen with the proper coaching.
At OTAs, he won't dissipate questions about his gap discipline, vision, etc., as there's still no live contact allowed but he'll be able to show off how quickly he digests everything coaches throw his way.
