Marist Liufau: Everything you need to know

Liufau is looking faster than he did as a rookie last season during the early part of training camp, Patrik Walker of DallasCowboys.com reports. "That was a big thing that I wanted to work on this offseason, and also my conditioning," Liufau said this week. "Knowing [new defensive coordinator Matt] Eberflus' system, we're gonna be running a lot, and it emphasizes running through the ball, and so we got to be in the best shape to be able to dominate and play the kind of defense that we want." A third-round pick in 2024, Liufau began last season bouncing between a depth role on defense and special teams, but by the final month of the campaign the Notre Dame product was not only starting, he was wearing the green dot for coordinator Mike Zimmer. Liufau recorded 24 tackles (12 solo) with two forced fumbles and a pass defended over his final four games of 2024, but in Eberflus' linebacker-friendly scheme, his production could skyrocket, especially with DeMarvion Overshown (knee) not expected to be ready until midseason.

Liufau finished the 2024 season with 50 tackles (30 solo), including 1.5 sacks, three pass breakups, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery across 17 games. Selected in the third round, at No. 87 overall, of the 2024 NFL Draft, Liufau made nine starts as a rookie, playing 47 percent of the Cowboys' defensive snaps. Liufau took over every-down linebacker duties during the final four weeks of the season after DeMarvion Overshown suffered a torn ACL, MCL and PCL in his right knee. With Overshown looking at a lengthy recovery and Eric Kendricks slated for free agency, Liufau should have a chance to be an every-down linebacker in 2025.

Liufau recorded five tackles (two solo) including a forced fumble during Sunday's 30-14 win at Carolina. Liufau punched the ball out of the arms of a diving Bryce Young during the Panthers' first drive of the game, keeping them off the scoreboard despite reaching the red zone. He figures to retain a near-every down role in Week 16 when Dallas hosts the Buccaneers.