Report: Cowboys plan to sign All-UFL linebacker Willie Harvey Jr.

Dallas gets much-needed depth in the linebacker room.

The Dallas Cowboys have done a nice job adding to the linebacker room this offseason by bringing in veterans Eric Kendricks and Damien Wilson, and also drafting Marist Liufau in the third round in April. They will join holdovers Damone Clark and DeMarvion Overshown. However, reliable depth will always be valued, and the Cowboys brought in UFL linebacker Willie Harvey Jr. for a workout a little while back.

The former Iowa State Cyclone knocked it out of the park, and he is expected to sign a deal with the team.

Harvey is no stranger to the NFL.

After going undrafted in 2019, Harvey was signed by the Cleveland Browns. He was waived on August 31 of that year but was re-signed to the practice squad the next day. After being promoted to the active roster in September, he went on injured reserve in October. Harvey would be waived in September of 2020 and then re-signed in August of 2021. Harvey was released again less than two weeks later but was re-signed for a third time that December.

This stint didn’t last long either, as Harvey was waived in January of 2022. He would sign a reserve/future contract three days later but was waived again in August. Three months later, Harvey was drafted by the St. Louis BattleHawks of the XFL. In January of 2024, Harvey re-signed with the team and was named to the 2024 All-UFL team earlier this month after leading the league in tackles.

The Cowboys have gone outside of the NFL before recently to add to their roster. In 2022, they signed current wide receiver KaVontae Turpin fresh off an USFL MVP season. So far, he’s racked up a Pro Bowl nod and is working to be a big part of the Cowboys’ offense in 2024. They also brought in Brandon Aubrey last season and he was a revelation at kicker. Hopefully, Dallas can strike gold again with Harvey.

In Dallas, Harvey will compete against guys such as Buddy Johnson who has been with the team since 2023 as well as Jason Johnson and Brock Mogensen who the Cowboys signed as undrafted free agents this offseason for a spot on the roster. He has an uphill battle on his hands, but Harvey does have some NFL experience, which he’s hoping will put him over the hump.