The Dallas Cowboys announced their training camp dates on Monday, and on Tuesday, they signed two more players who must report to Oxnard, Calif., by July 24: Willie Harvey, a talented linebacker in the United Football League, and cornerback Gareon Conley
Conley joined the UFL’s Defenders after beginning his career in the NFL. In 2017, he was picked as the 24th overall pick by the Oakland Raiders (now Las Vegas). He had 25 total tackles, five pass deflections, two interceptions, and one fumble recovery in 2024.
Harvey led the UFL in tackles this season and was chosen as a first-team All-UFL player for the St. Louis BattleHawks.
Willie Harvey Jr
A spring football veteran returns to the NFL.
Harvey was one of the most productive defenders in the UFL last season, finishing as the league’s best tackler in 2024. Harvey, who played for the St. Louis Battlehawks, recorded 76 tackles, nine tackles for loss, and four sacks. He has kept himself busy in recent months by assisting St. Louis in reaching the XFL Conference title game.
Harvey played four games for the Cleveland Browns from 2019 to 2021 before joining the UFL. An undrafted free agent from Iowa State, he signed with the Browns and was recently named an All-UFL selection.
His contributions on the field drew attention throughout the NFL, and Dallas signed him before training camp.
Turpin’s and Aubrey’s Pro Bowl Impact
The Cowboys have signed USFL players Brandon Aubrey and return specialist KaVontae Turpin in the last two seasons. In their rookie seasons with the Cowboys, both were named All-Pros and received Pro Bowl honors. The team hopes to replicate this success with Conley and Harvey.
Although Dallas has signed free agents Eric Kendricks and Damone Clark as starters, the linebacker rotation for this season remains uncertain. Leighton Vander Esch retired, and while Kendricks is a high-volume defender likely to fill in effectively, the exact positioning of the starters on the depth chart remains unclear.
They also have veterans Damien Wilson and DeMarvion Overshown , along with 2024 third-round pick Marist Liufau. However, there are many question marks beyond these players. If Harvey Jr. performs well in camp, he could establish himself as the fifth or sixth linebacker.
Regardless of how everything works out, Harvey and Conley have a solid chance to contribute, especially if they make an impact on special teams. They are names to keep an eye on in camp.
Source: Dallas Cowboys.
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