Over the next two weeks, DallasCowboys.com dives deeper into the talented group of undrafted rookies that will battle for a roster spot this offseason.
- Name: Darius "Jet" Anderson
- Position: Running Back
- School: TCU
- Height/Weight: 5-10/208lbs
- Awards & Recognition: Senior Bowl Participant, All-Big 12 Honorable Mention, NFL Combine Invite
The Good: They call him 'Jet' for a reason. Anderson's explosiveness is incredible to watch when he cranks it all the way up and is the most likely reason he'll have a future in the NFL. In the open field, Anderson is just as tough to bring down as any back in the country with 43 missed tackles coming on just 153 carries (according to PFF). The ability he possesses to make defenders miss comes from a vast arsenal of moves as a ball carrier along with his innate balance in the middle of traffic. His athleticism was on full display at the NFL Combine when he landed a 36-inch vertical and a 10-foot 8-inch broad jump. Each very impressive for the running back position.
The Project: There are times on film, you'll see Anderson be extremely picky on the hole he wants to select. While that may not sound like such a bad thing, it's a sign that his vision and patience at the position are just a few seconds behind what it should be. If he hesitates behind the line of scrimmage against NFL competition like he did in college, he'll be swallowed up. There are times when that decision-making leads Anderson to the outside, which doesn't play to his strengths as an explosive player. He is much more successful attacking the middle of the line but loses ground and leverage the closer he gets to the sideline.
The Summary: Anderson spent much of his childhood up in the Dallas area before moving down near Houston. While he lived in Dallas, he never played any American football but instead grew up playing soccer, which might explain his elusiveness and solid footwork as a tailback. His explosiveness and ability to make a defender miss are foundation enough to see a future in the NFL for Anderson. It just may be tough to see the field much with the Cowboys because of the loaded backfield already in place. With both Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard combining to create the league's fifth-best backfield in 2019, and veteran fullback Jamize Olawale returning this season, Anderson will be competing Jordan Chunn for a third running back spot or perhaps the practice squad.
The Extra: Back in 2015, Anderson led the George Ranch High School Longhorns (Richmond, TX) to a 5A Division I State Championship and a 16-0 perfect season. A truly dominant season where Jet rushed for over 2,200 yards and 30 touchdowns en route to being named District MVP, Houston Chronicle Player of the Year, and State Championship game MVP. However, the perfect season was in jeopardy in Week Six, as the Foster Falcons took a lead into the fourth quarter behind a touchdown reception and over 115 total return yards from a talented junior receiver, CeeDee Lamb. Anderson added two fourth quarter touchdown scampers to ultimately take the matchup of future Cowboys teammates 35-28 in district play.
Check out the full rookie class HERE.
The Cowboys have a rich history in signing undrafted rookies from Drew Pearson to Tony Romo. Check out this year's group of 15 rookie free agents that have agreed to terms.
CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma – Despite needs on defense, the Cowboys couldn't pass up Lamb with the 17th pick. A consensus All-American at OU, Lamb piled up 32 touchdown catches in three years.
Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama – The younger brother of Bills WR Stefon Diggs, Trevon started two years for Nick Saban at Alabama and posted four interceptions in 18 starts. At 6-1, 205, he's got the ideal frame for an NFL press corner.
Neville Gallimore, DT, Oklahoma – A run-stuffing defensive tackle, Gallimore posted 18 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks in four seasons at Oklahoma. Drafting Gallimore in the third round, the Cowboys like his athleticism and motor at 300 pounds.
Reggie Robinson II, CB, Tulsa - The first of two fourth-round picks by Dallas, Robinson had a breakout senior season at Tulsa with four interceptions and 17 pass breakups. He also blocked four kicks in college.
Tyler Biadasz, C, Wisconsin – The Cowboys traded back into the fourth round to draft Biadasz, an All-American and Rimington Award winner at Wisconsin. In three seasons, running back Jonathan Taylor ran for a record-setting 6,000 yards behind Biadasz and his fellow offensive linemen. Biadasz compete for the center job left by the retiring Travis Frederick, who also starred at Wisconsin.
Bradlee Anae, DE, Utah – A consensus All-American last season, Anae was one of the most productive edge rushers in this year's class, having posted 29.5 sacks in four seasons at Utah. The Cowboys nearly took him in the fourth round but were able to get him later in the fifth.
Ben DiNucci, QB, James Madison – Drafted in the seventh round, DiNucci started 29 games in two seasons at James Madison, posting a 23-6 record and an appearance in the FCS Championship game held in Frisco, just up the road from The Star.
Terence Steele, OT, Texas Tech – Steele played right and left tackle as a four-year starter for Texas Tech. Last year the Red Raiders' offensive line allowed only 18 sacks in 531 pass attempts.
Stephen Guidry, WR, Mississippi State – Guidry recorded 387 yards and five touchdowns at Mississippi State last season. At 6-4 and 200 pounds, his size and athleticism offer an enticing possibility for development.
Aaron Parker, WR, Rhode Island – Parker flew under-the-radar playing for Rhode Island, but he recorded 30 touchdowns in his collegiate career including nine last season to go along with 1,224 receiving yards.
Charlie Taumoepeau, TE, Portland State – Was on nearly every All-American team at the FSC level in 2019, where he caught 36 passes for 474 yards and two touchdowns in just 10 games. He earned first-team All-Big Sky Conference honors in 2018-19
Kendrick Rogers, WR, Texas A&M – At 6-4, 208 pounds, Rogers has intriguing measurables. His career numbers for the Aggies weren't amazing, but he made splashy plays in big moments.
Darius Anderson, RB, TCU – The former Horned Frog had 823 yards as part of a back-field-by-committee last year. He also returned kicks for the Frogs, so his special teams abilities could help him earn a roster spot.
Sewo Olonilua, FB, TCU – Another part of the Horned Frog backfield. He might be listed as a fullback, but Olonilua can carry the rock. He rushed for 537 yards and eight touchdowns last season.
Rico Dowdle, RB, South Carolina – A knee injury hampered Dowdle in 2019, but he still managed to rush for 500 yards for the Gamecocks. At 5-11, 213 pounds, he's got a solid NFL frame.
Sean McKeon, TE, Michigan – He'll need to work on his strength, but McKeon has the experience and the frame required to function as a solid blocker. He caught 58 passes in college, but only 13 of those came last season.
Garrett Marino, DT, UAB – A three-time All-Conference USA performer, including first-team honors in 2019. He had six sacks, 13.5 tackles for loss for the Blazers.
Ron'Dell Carter, DE, James Madison – If there was an award for it, Carter either won it or was a finalist after a stellar 2019 season that earned him consensus All-American honors at the FSC level. His 23 sacks is ninth-most in school history at James Madison, where Hall of Famer Charles Haley starred in the 1980s.
Ladarius Hamilton, DE, North Texas – One of the more productive players in North Texas history, finishing his career tied for sixth in school history with 17 sacks and his 28.5 tackles for loss ranks sixth.
Francis Bernard, LB, Utah – A first-team All-Pac 12 performer in 2019, Bernard played in 26 games for the Utes, after transferring from BYU. He was twice named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week. He joins college teammate Bradlee Anae (fifth-round pick) in this Cowboys' rookie class.
Azur Kamara, LB, Kansas – Versatile defender at Kansas after spending two years in JUCO. Kamara played both defensive end and outside linebacker, and earned All-Big 12 honorable mention honors as a senior in 2019.
Luther Kirk, S, Illinois State – The only safety among this rookie class for the Cowboys. That should be an advantage to Kirk, who was the MVP of the East-West Shrine Bowl back in January. He earned FSC All-American honors in 2019. He's a physical player that gets close to the line of scrimmage, recording 89 tackles last season.
