FRISCO, Texas — DeMarvion Overshown has done it once, namely returning from a devastating knee injury to become one of the best young linebackers in the NFL, and he plans to do it again.
Having clawed his way back from a torn ACL in 2023 that deleted what would've been his rookie season for the Dallas Cowboys, he went on a Pro Bowl caliber stretch in 2024, only to suffer a torn ACL in his opposing knee later in the season when his leg was rolled up on; but ever smiling and strapped to his faith, Overshown sees himself back on the field at some point before the 2025 season is complete.
And with a swift return to his jaw-dropping level of play seen in 2024, at minimum.
"I'm expecting no dropoff," said Overshown in an exclusive interview before being unequivocal in declaring his goal for 2025. "I not only want to be nominated, but I want to be the [NFL] Comeback Player of the Year."
If his first return from injury is any indication, Overshown could very well be positioned to achieve that mission in a few months from now.
It is unfortunately, as mentioned before, a long road he's been forced to travel before, but there's an odd sense of confidence that comes with knowing, this time around, what to expect and how to attack the rehab; two things that were foreign to him in 2023.
"Just knowing what it takes to get back to the level I was playing at, and knowing I'm capable of that," he added. "I've been through this before so, of course, that helps, and knowing what I'm going back to. It ain't my rookie year anymore. Last year, it was still brand new to me. I was like a kid in a pool but, now, I'm a shark in the ocean.
"I can do what I want to in this league. It's really just about getting healthy."
He also has a message for anyone thinking the injury will cost him his promising career, let alone the entirety of next season.
"Keep it coming. It fuels me," Overshown said of those who question his eventual return. "I see it. I'm not blind to it, but I know what's for me. I already see myself and what I'll be doing on the field next year. I've already seen it — the vision. I feel the love just as much as I see the doubters, but keep it coming and just know that I'm gonna be on the field [in 2025]."
When he does return at some point in 2025, at whatever point in the campaign that might occur, things will look much different from a coaching perspective.
Mike McCarthy departed as head coach and offensive play caller, with Brian Schottenheimer moving from offensive coordinator to the lead role — one change of many within the staff. The inaugural press conference to introduce Schottenheimer as head coach featured the entire strength and conditioning staff, several assistant coaches (despite remaining unsigned at the moment) and players such as Dak Prescott and, of course, Overshown.
It served as an early testament to the buy-in Schottenheimer already has within the locker room, evidenced further by Overshown taking to X (formerly known as Twitter) immediately following the press conference to post an image of a man running through a brick wall to put an image to how he feels about his new head coach.
Along with that change comes another move at defensive coordinator, as Mike Zimmer reportedly heads into retirement and a second reunion in as many years arrives in Dallas by way of Matt Eberflus returning to the organization to run the defense, marking Overshown's third coordinator in as many NFL seasons.
Eberflus was previously a heralded linebackers coach for the Cowboys, a skillset that will likely serve Overshown and another young, high-ceiling talent in Marist Liufau, very well going forward.
It does mark the third defensive coordinator in only three NFL seasons for Overshown to acclimate to, however, but his experience with turnover in defensive leadership is something he became familiar with in his days as a star player for the Longhorns.
He will draw on that experience as Eberflus enters the building and, now having had weeks to dive more deeply into the scheme and the mind of his new coordinator, Overshown gleefully provided insight into how he'll be utilized in the new system.
"We're just making sure, first of all, that I'm ready when I get healthy," he said of his conversations with Eberflus. "That's been our main talking point, is staying in the building. Even if we're just doing cones, just lining up the cones and doing mental reps.
"But [his plan for me] is running his defense. I know where I wanna be and what's gonna make me take my game to the next level. We talked about things I can work on and things that can not only make me a Pro Bowler, but an All-Pro and a guy that's up for the Defensive Player of the Year award one day.
"… I'm all for it and I'm ready to run through a wall."
That said, the first mission is exactly that: to step back onto the field. As he works toward achieving it, he'll do so with a lot of excitement for what he believes will be a turnaround season for the Cowboys in 2025.
And also one that solidifies him as the NFL's next elite linebacker.
