The Dallas Cowboys are bringing in linebacker Willie Harvey Jr. for a workout, according to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. Harvey played for the St. Louis BattleHawks of the United Football League (UFL) this spring and finished the 2024 season with 78 tackles, and four sacks in 10 games, leading the league in tackles. The 28-year-old also led all linebackers in tackles for loss (nine) passes defended (six) and forced fumbles (two). His production led to him being named to the All-UFL Team.
Harvey has been with the BattleHawks since 2023. He originally signed with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2019 and played four games in three seasons. Harvey was waived by the Browns in August 2022 and was drafted by the BattleHawks in November of that year.
Harvey played college football for the Iowa State Cyclones and was named to the Honorable Mention All-Big 12 for three consecutive seasons. In an interview with theDes Moines Register in 2019, Harvey talked reflected on not being drafted after having a strong career at Iowa State.
“I had one or two choices,” Harvey said in a phone interview at the time. “You could either bag it or you could just put your head down and just continue to do the things and more that got you to that point. And that’s really what I did — because it’s nothing new for me.”
Willie Harvey Jr. looking to add depth to the Dallas Cowboys defense
Harvey will look to add depth to a Cowboys defense that finished fifth in total defense and scoring defense last year. One of the biggest additions the Cowboys made was bringing back Mike Zimmer as the defensive coordinator. Zimmer worked as a Cowboys assistant coach from 1994 to 2006 and was the defensive coordinator in his last seven seasons with the team.
“You always miss football,” Zimmer said in February, per NFL.com. “You miss coaching. You miss the relationships with the players, relationships with the coaches. I probably needed a little time off, just because of some of the things happening with my family. That was important to me, to take some time to help the rest of my family. … But at the end of the day, it draws (you) back in.
“My dad was a high school coach for 30-some years, and I’ve been doing this for a long time. I’m excited to try to get where I can try to help players be better, teams be better and groups to be better. That’s what I try to do.”
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