INDIANAPOLIS — Marist Liufau is in for a major change heading into the 2026 NFL season, his third in the league for the Dallas Cowboys. Having fired out of the gate as a rookie third-round pick out of Notre Dame in 2024 as the eventual green dot for Mike Zimmer, a change of on-field scenery might be a good thing after a Year 2 slump.
To be fair though, that slump was largely rooted in a disconnect between Liufau and former defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, the latter being hellbent on giving the majority of the linebacker reps to Jack Sanborn and Kenneth Murray, even while DeMarvion Overshown continued his recovery on injured reserve.
Liufau will be released from his cage by Christian Parker, however, with head coach Brian Schottenheimer confirming an earlier gem given to DallasCowboys.com from newly-named insider linebacker coach Scott Symons from the 2026 NFL Combine: Liufau is changing positions.
“Marist Liufau, we’re gonna move him to outside linebacker,” Schottenheimer declared, speaking from 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.”
It’s bombshell news for a player who made his name as one of the nation’s best inside linebackers at Notre Dame, and it arrives after the Cowboys’ decision to waive fellow inside linebacker Logan Wilson (two moves that hint largely at the possible emergence of Justin Barron alongside Overshown Shemar James).
And while the length is evident, as Schottenheimer noted and film/measurables readily prove, Liufau is going to have to add some extra chunky peanut butter to his sandwiches and smoothies to bulk up; and to be ready for what outside linebackers coach Chidera Uzo-Diribe has planned for him.