FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys have made a habit out of finding talent in the spring football leagues in each of the last two seasons, as they identified KaVontae Turpin out of the USFL in 2022 and Brandon Aubrey in 2023 with each becoming Pro Bowl players in their respective first seasons.
And they might not be done yet.
The Cowboys are scheduled to workout UFL linebacker Willie Harvey Jr. on Tuesday after Harvey put together an All-UFL season playing for the St. Louis Battlehawks where he led the league in tackles and all linebackers in tackles for loss and forced fumbles.
Originally from Hastings, Fla., Harvey attended Iowa State where he was a three-time All-Big 12 honorable mention. He went undrafted in the 2019 NFL Draft and signed with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent where he spent three seasons and played in four games. His two career tackles both came on special teams.
After being released by the Browns, Harvey's journey led him to the XFL where he signed with the Battlehawks and played two seasons in St. Louis.
At 5-foot-11, 230 pounds, Harvey is an undersized linebacker from a height perspective but makes up for it with a physical nature of play that fills running lanes and attacks the backfield. His experience in the UFL has seen him play all three linebacker positions in his professional career.
With Mike Zimmer bringing in a new defensive system that requires depth numbers at the linebacker position, the Cowboys could benefit from Harvey's presence if they see it fit after Tuesday's workout.
