(Editor's Note: With the offseason practices now complete, the Cowboys will take some downtime before departing for training camp on July 28. Until then, let's focus on some of the more unknown rookies on this team, fighting for a roster spot. Today's featured player is linebacker Mark Nzeocha)
Name: Mark Nzeocha
Position: LB
College: Wyoming
Height/Weight: 6-2/239
Acquired: 7th Round, 2015 NFL Draft
Collegiate Career:Nzeocha is the newest of several international players on the Cowboys' roster, as he came to Wyoming from Ansbach, Germany. He posted 101 tackles in his junior season with the Cowboys, including 10 for loss. As a senior, he had already posted 59 tackles in seven games when he tore his ACL in October.[embeddedad0]
Did You Know? The 25-year-old isn't just from Germany, but he also played football there. Nzeocha's high school didn't have an American football team, so he played for a local club team called the Franken Knights. Nzeocha also played for Germany in the 2009 Junior World Championships, and he was named to the all-tournament team.
2015 Outlook:Having torn his ACL just eight months ago, it's hard to predict Nzeocha's readiness for training camp, let alone the coming season. He worked mostly alone with team trainers during OTAs and minicamp, and he didn't mix into any full-team activities. He'll have to get fully healthy before he can compete for a roster spot, and the Cowboys will have to hope that's sooner rather than later.
Scout's Take:
- Wrap-up tackle in the hole. Flows well to the ball. Can work in and out of the hole.
- Able to avoid blocks. Plays downhill quickly. Has a nose for the ball. Needs to be on the move.
- His effort to chase is outstanding. Trouble when he gets hooked up. Can change direction and take the back out of the backfield.
– Bryan Broaddus
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