For the third straight offseason, the Dallas Cowboys are kicking the tires on some spring football standouts.
About a week after agreeing to a deal with the Cowboys, linebacker Willie Harvey Jr. revealed what made signing with the franchise an easy decision. Before landing in Dallas, Harvey stood out in the UFL as its leading tackler for the 2024 season.
Although he played for the St. Louis Battlehawks this spring, Harvey’s home base is located in the Dallas area.
“It was truly a blessing,” Harvey said Monday on 105.3 The Fan (KRLD-FM). “Even with the XFL and USFL being here, I never had to move. Never had to move my feet, I’ve always been at home. Getting the opportunity to play for Dallas, it was a no-brainer.”
The Iowa State product wanted a smooth transition to the NFL, which Dallas made possible with its Mike Zimmer-led defensive scheme. Harvey added that his connection with Cowboys special teams coach John Fassel was helpful in his free-agency move.
Prior to his UFL stint, Harvey appeared in four games with the Cleveland Browns from 2019-21. He mostly played on special teams after making the roster as an undrafted free agent.
When asked to explain the intricacies of Zimmer’s system, Harvey said it’s a “linebacker-driven defense.”
“Keeping the linebackers free, letting them be athletes and make plays,” Harvey said. “The Eric Kendricks of the world — they got a lot of good guys and they let them thrive. That’s something I want to be a part of.”
Harvey wasn’t the only ex-UFL player to sign with the Cowboys this month. Cornerback Gareon Conley, who last played for the D.C. Defenders, agreed to an NFL deal the same day as Harvey.
Last season, defending against the run was one of Dallas’ main struggles. Despite entering the postseason with a 12-5 record, the Cowboys’ campaign ended early when Green Bay sliced through their defense for 143 rushing yards and three touchdowns on the ground.
Hoping to make an impact in that regard, Harvey explained why linebackers are still a key part of a defense’s success.
“It’s crazy until you take them out of the game and bad things start to happen,” Harvey said. “We’re a very grimy, hard-nosed group of guys who really don’t get the respect we deserve. We play all special teams, we command the entire defense and I think that’s important.
“When you take us out of the picture, it can get a little cloudy.”
Listen to the rest of Harvey’s appearance on The Fan here.
Find more Cowboys coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.
