The Dallas Cowboys excel at discovering untapped potential in players and providing opportunities to international athletes.
In the past, Isaac Alarcon, a fan favorite, utilized the international player exemption. He spent three years on the Cowboys practice squad as an offensive lineman.
He was eventually released but now is a member of the San Francisco 49ers roster.
The newest international player, Denzel Daxon, is an undrafted free-agent defensive lineman.
Denzel Daxon's Background
Born and raised in Nassau, Bahamas, Daxon's talent and progress have attracted the attention of the Cowboys' staff.
He displayed untapped potential despite starting football at 17 and will have the chance to further develop with the team.
Daxon started playing football in 2016 when he relocated to the United States.
He played high school football in Florida, excelling as a plus-size lineman with exceptional athleticism.
He got some big offers from schools like the University of Miami, Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisville. But he decided to go with the University of Ohio instead of those big-name schools.
Daxon didn't play in his first two seasons with Ohio, but he appeared in 20 games over the last two seasons, making 10 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, and 1.0 sack.
He played a rotational role for the Bobcats in the previous season, and the team made it to the MAC Championship Game and won the Arizona Bowl.
Daxon transferred with two years of eligibility left and selected the University of Illinois as his next destination.
He utilized his final two years of eligibility to play at Illinois with other talented defensive linemen. Daxon had 9 tackles, and 18 assists, for 27 total tackles at Illinois.
After entering the NFL draft, he was not drafted but was subsequently signed by the Dallas Cowboys.
Coaches take on Denzel Daxon
Illinois' defensive line coach, Terrance Jamison, noticed the flashes of talent that marked the Bahamian native as a standout prospect throughout his prep career. Terrance said,
“I look for the intangibles when I look at film,” Jamison said. “Can he bend, can he move laterally, can he transition from speed to power? He showed all those things at that girth, at that size, and he played winning football at Ohio. They made the MAC championship, and he was a major contributor for those guys. He's a great student and also a good football player.”
“To learn the game that fast and apply his athleticism to the game, you could see those elements when you see him play when you see him practice. I think the sky's the limit. The future's bright for him.”
“The true zero nose position, that's a new position for him. But I'm telling you, it looks like he's a natural spot for that position,” Jamison said. “He's made significant growth since he's come in the spring in the weight room, how he changed his body, how he runs, how he trains, and he's translating that to the field. It's impressive.”
Receiving such high praise from Coach Terrance Jamison, known for coaching talents like Johnny Newton at the University of Illinois, is quite an honor.
A hidden Gem for the Cowboys?
The high praise from a former coach bodes well for the Cowboys. Denzel Daxon could be a significant contributor to the defensive line.
The defense has long needed a productive nose tackle to stop the run, and the Cowboys may have found one.
At 6'2” and weighing 320lbs, his size is ideal for absorbing blockers, and he has the potential to chase down quarterbacks. Such performance from an undrafted free agent would be a pleasant surprise.
Open Roster Spot
Denzel Daxon, hailing from Nassau, Bahamas, is recognized as an international player.
Daxon's status as an international player exempts him from the Cowboys' 90-man roster limit, allowing him to join the 16-man practice squad as an additional 17th member.
This allows the Cowboys to build a potential impact player while adding another player to the practice squad or the 90-man roster.
Securing an additional spot on the 90-man roster can strengthen a thin position and provide the defensive line with added firepower.
Thanks to the international exception, Dax could stay with the Cowboys for up to three years as he develops. However, his ultimate aim, like any rookie, is to secure a spot on the 53-man roster which would count against the roster limit.
This is a great situation to be in for the Cowboys. A win-win for the player and the team.
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