Marist Liufau
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The Dallas Cowboys announced Thursday they will shift Marist Liufau to outside linebacker for the 2026 NFL season.
After a promising rookie season, former third-round pick Marist Liufau struggled to get on the field for the Dallas Cowboys in 2025. But the team is set to make a move with Liufau to ensure that doesn’t happen again this fall.
The Cowboys announced Thursday that Liufau will play outside linebacker, moving from inside linebacker, where he spent his first two NFL campaigns.
In addition to Dallascowboys.com’s Patrik Walker covering Liufau’s position switch at the team’s website, head coach Brian Schottenheimer announced the 25-year-old’s change while speaking to reporters.
“Marist Liufau, we’re gonna move him to outside linebacker,” Schottenheimer said at the 2026 NFL Combine. “That kind of fits his strengths, right? He’s got length. He’s got long arms and he’s really good at disrupting the ball.”
Schottenheimer continued to explain why Liufau is fit for a position change. The Cowboys head coach also added the team addressed the switch with the linebacker.
“He doesn’t have the great twitch, but he’s got the strength to knock guys back. And, again, the length is what just jumps off the film. He’s excited about it,” said Schottenheimer.
“We’ve talked to Marist about it. He was excited. He can eat a little bit more to get his weight back up a little bit.”