For several former Notre Dame football players, the first few weeks of the NFL preseason are when they work for a roster spot, or even better, a starting slot on the depth chart. While being a starter seems like a long shot for linebacker Marist Liufau, he's certainly trying to stake his claim, and Dallas Cowboys coaches are taking notice.
Liufau recently appeared in the Cowboys' first preseason game and did enough in that contest and camp so far in general that Dallas head coach Brian Shottenheimer singled him out in a recent press conference. Schottenheimer called him a "gritty" linebacker who has been incredible throughout the offseason.
Former Notre Dame football star showing out in Dallas Cowboys' preseason camp
"He's been incredible this whole time in camp," the Cowboys' coach said of the former Notre Dame football star.
"he showed out in the game" 💪@marist_09 | @AmericanAir pic.twitter.com/UUqRkfnfg2
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) August 11, 2025
"Just the physical nature he plays with. Another guy that you love the play style…He’s kind of a throwback linebacker, just gritty. I’m not surprised he played well. He's been working so hard to get to this point."
The former Notre Dame standout, taken No. 87 overall in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, didn't just get his feet wet in his first season; he dove all the way in. Liufau appeared in all 17 games, made nine starts, and quietly turned in a solid rookie season: 50 tackles, 1.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and three pass breakups.
The former Notre Dame football star appears to be processing the game even faster this offseason. He could improve on his 9 games started in 2024. Paired with Kenneth Murray and, eventually, DeMarvion Overshown, Liufau is set to be a key piece in an impressive Dallas Cowboys linebacker corps.