Flyin’ Hawaiian headed to the Big D
With the 24th pick in the 3rd round of the NFL Draft (87th overall) the Dallas Cowboys selected Notre Dame linebacker, Marist Liufau.
Marist Liufau is a Cowboy.
With the 87th overall pick in the third round, the @dallascowboys select @marist_09, linebacker, Notre Dame.#NFLDraft | #GoIrish☘️ pic.twitter.com/PrCeBsjkhV
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) April 27, 2024
Liufau came to Notre Dame as part of the 2019 recruiting class and was a 3-Star prospect from Hawaii. At the time, there was talk of Liufau possibly grey-shirting to start his career as there wasn’t a scholarship spot open. Fortunately for Marist, that spot opened up over the summer and he began his career on full scholarship.
Marist did see some time as a freshmen, but was still able to red-shirt. It was during his sophomore season that Marist started to make some real noise and started three games that year.
With the 87th pick, the Dallas Cowboys drafted Marist Liufau (Go Irish!)
My model ranked him 231st
Best available players
49. Dadrion Taylor-Demerson S3
53. T.J. Tampa CB9
54. Ja’Tavion Sanders TE3
55. Austin Booker EDGE7#NFLDraft #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/d6iJtk7Qmz— Notre Dame Football Stats & Analytics (@ND_FB_Analytics) April 27, 2024
Liufau missed the entire 2021 season due to an ankle injury, but his return in 2022 was when he really put his stamp on the program as he started all 13 games and was third on the team in tackles with 51.
Marist’s production in 2023 dropped slightly (with one less game) but he was an impact player that offenses had to scheme around. His energy, speed, and physicality made him a force on one of the better defenses in all of college football.
Locked in on Liufau ⭐️#CowboysDraft | @fanatics pic.twitter.com/41fegUNQF9
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) April 27, 2024