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.
Currently weighing in at 239 lbs., the player affectionately nicknamed "Hawaiian Punch" for his ability to force fumbles by throwing haymakers at the ball during his tackles will realistically need to get his weight up by roughly 10 lbs. or so, that's if he wants to remain durable from the punishment taken at the edge and to avoid getting moved off of his spot by massive offensive tackles.
"[We feel he'll be] good," Schottenheimer explained. "He doesn't have the great twitch, but he's got the strength to knock guys back. And, again, the length is what just jumps off the film. He's excited about it.
"We've talked to Marist about it. He was excited. He can eat a little bit more to get his weight back up a little bit."
That's something Parker, Schottenheimer and Liufau are well-aware of, and already working toward weeks ahead of the start of the Cowboys' offseason program — April 20 being the first available reporting date for players.
Additionally, financially speaking, Liufau has a major incentive to prove himself capable at the edge, seeing as that position is paid a king's ransom over what inside linebackers earn in the NFL.
With Liufau's move to outside linebacker, and the presence of former 2025 second-round pick Donovan Ezeiruaku, the two create a young one-two punch that will inevitably see additional talent added in free agency and/or the 2026 NFL Draft.
The influence of Parker has officially begun in a considerable way in Dallas — to say the least.
