The Cowboys lose a total of 28 players from the 2013 Roster. Here are the players that will be potentially replacing them on the defensive side of the ball.
Defensive Linemen
Graduating:
- James Castleman, Ofa Hautau, Sam Wren, Deonte Cruse,
Committed:
Louis Brown - Burton, TX |
|
Position: Defensive End / Athlete |
Measurables: 6-5 | 210 lbs |
Offers: Texas, Baylor, Lamar, Mississippi State, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas State, Texas Tech |
|
Rankings |
ESPN: ★★★★ | #23 Athlete | 267th on ESPN300 |
Rivals: ★★★ | #37 Athlete |
Scout: ★★★ | #37 Defensive End |
|
Notes |
•Committed 1/24/2015 |
•Burton High School |
•Close to 500 total tackles in High School |
• 87 carries for 1,015 yards with an 11.7 ypc average and 10 touchdowns |
|
ESPN Evaluation |
Given his measurables, Brown is an exceptional athlete. The job for a college coaching staff is to turn him into an exceptional player. A redshirt year with significant time in the weight room will do him wonders. Physically he shows many similarities to Texas A&M defensive end Daeshon Hall. He is a project, but he has physical talents that are impressive.
|
Darrion Daniels - Dallas, TX |
|
Position: Defensive Tackle |
Measurables: 6-4 | 290 lbs |
Offers: OU, Texas Tech, Iowa, Arizona State, Arkansas, Baylor, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Louisville, LSU, Miami, Missouri, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Ole Miss, SMU, TCU, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, Tulsa, USC, Wake Forest, Washington State, Wisconsin |
|
Rankings |
ESPN: ★★★★ | #27 Defensive Tackle |
Rivals: ★★★★ | #16 Defensive Tackle | 161st Overall Prospect |
Scout: ★★★★ | #22 Defensive Tackle | 226th Overall Prospect |
|
Notes |
•Committed 1/30/2015 |
•Bishop Dunne High School |
•Two-time All-State Defensive Tackle |
•67 total tackles, 38 unassisted, 28.0 tackles for loss, and 8.0 sacks |
|
ESPN Evaluation |
Daniels has very good upside due to his size and ability to move on his feet. Has to be more consistent with his get off but shows flashes of good ability to disrupt with above average snap anticipation. Most likely a Power Conference prospect with good overall versatility.
|
Motekiai Maile - Pittsburg, CA |
|
Position: Defensive Tackle |
Measurables: 6-4 | 300 lbs |
Offers: Arizona State, Mississippi State, North Texas, SMU, TCU, Texas Tech |
|
Rankings |
ESPN: ★★★ | #8 JC Defensive Tackle | #49 on JC50 |
Rivals: ★★★ |
Scout: ★★★ | #33 on JC Top 100 |
|
Notes |
•Committed 6/9/2014 |
•Tyler Junior College |
•2014: 30 Tackles, 4.5 Sacks, 1 Fumble Recovery |
|
ESPN Evaluation |
Maile has good size, strength and can be active with his hands. Needs to work to be more consistent with his technique, but displays the ability to be a good, quick contributor to a D-Line.
|
Taaj Bakari - Mansfield, TX |
|
Position: Defensive Tackle |
Measurables: 6-2 | 275 lbs |
Offers: Colorado, Colorado State, North Texas, TCU |
|
Rankings |
ESPN: ★★★ | #57 Defensive Tackle |
Rivals: ★★★ |
Scout: ★★★ | #32 Defensive Tackle |
|
Notes |
•Committed 4/13/2014 |
•Mansfield Legacy High School |
•2014: 65 Tackles (6 Tackles for a Loss), 3 Sacks, 2 Caused Fumbles |
|
ESPN Evaluation |
Bakari demonstrates the tools to be a solid, well-rounded player in the defensive trenches. Lacking slightly in ideal size and he needs to make improvements, but can with development at least be a solid effective contributor to a power conference D-Line.
|
Safeties
Graduating:
- Larry Stephens, DeShawn Franklin, Elliot Jeffcoat
Committed:
Kevin Henry - Baton Rouge, LA |
|
Position: Safety |
Measurables: 6-1 | 217 lbs |
Offers: LSU, Louisiana Tech, Louisiana Monroe, Ole Miss, Southern |
|
Rankings |
ESPN: ★★★ | #21 Safety | #271 on ESPN 300 |
Rivals: ★★★ | #32 Safety |
Scout: ★★★ | #54 Safety |
|
Notes |
•Committed 9/23/2014 |
•Central High School |
•2013: 47 Tackles, 2 INT, 1 Sack |
|
ESPN Evaluation |
Henry is an active, well-rounded safety who is productive versus both the run and pass and makes his biggest impact in zone schemes. Has a good physical tools and an aggressive demeanor that could lead to recruitment in a hybrid linebacker role if continued size is gained.
|
Kenneth McGruder- Houston, TX |
|
Position: Safety |
Measurables: 6-2 | 203 lbs |
Offers: Arkansas, Boise State, California, Colorado, Iowa State, Louisville, LSU, Missouri, Nebraska, Oregon State, Tulsa, Utah, UTSA, Washington |
|
Rankings |
ESPN: ★★★ | #38 Safety |
Rivals: ★★★ | #49 Safety |
Rivals: ★★★★ | #30 Safety |
|
Notes |
•Committed 12/14/2014 |
•Alief Taylor High School |
•8th Ranked Safety in Texas according to Scout. |
|
ESPN Evaluation |
McGruder's athleticism and toughness should allow him to do a variety of jobs on special teams; with continued growth and improved playing strength, early playing time at the power conference level of competition is not out of the question.
|
Bryce Balous - McKinney, TX |
|
Position: Safety |
Measurables: 5-11 | 180 lbs | 40 Time 4.39 |
Offers: Arkansas State, Iowa, Kansas State, Nevada, Texas Tech |
|
Rankings |
ESPN: ★★★ | #132 Safety |
Rivals: ★★★ |
Scout: ★★★ | #61 Safety |
|
Notes |
•Committed 12/10/2014 |
•McKinney North High School |
•2014: 163 Tackles (120 Solo), 1 INT, 2 Fumble Recoveries |
|
ESPN Evaluation |
Balous is a mid-major type of player to be developed. His speed may make him attractive to others but has to improve his instinctive play to be effective at a higher level.
|
Linebackers
Graduating:
Committed:
Za'Carrius Green- Duncanville, TX |
|
Position: Outside Linebacker / Safety |
Measurables: 6-0 | 190 lbs | 40 Time 4.55 |
Offers: Kansas, Iowa State, Iowa, Louisiana Tech, North Texas |
|
Rankings |
ESPN: ★★★ | #41 Safety |
Rivals: ★★★ OLB |
Scout: ★★★ | #61 OLB |
|
Notes |
•Committed 6/20/2014 |
•Duncanville High School |
•2014: 3 Interceptions, 1 Fumble Recovery, 1 Caused Fumble |
|
ESPN Evaluation |
In addition to his outstanding play on defense, Green is very productive playing special teams; excels covering kickoffs and should be able to do a variety of jobs well. Depending upon how fast expanded coverage skills are acquired will most likely determine whether a red shirt year is needed.
|