Cowboys Coach on Isaiah Land: 'He's A Dog'

Originally posted on HBCUs on SI | By Kyle T. Mosley | Last updated 7/21/23

The Dallas Cowboys immediately signed Florida A&M star Isaiah Land after the 2023 NFL Draft's final selection. Land and Mark Evans II out of Arkansas-Pine Bluff were the two HBCU football players participating in the 2023 NFL Combine. Last season, another FAMU Rattler caught the attention of Dan Quinn's defensive staff at the NFL Combine, defensive back Markquese Bell. Dallas signed Bell to an undrafted free-agent contract. He took advantage of the opportunity and made the Cowboys' 2022 53-man roster.

Could Land become the second-straight Rattler to crack Dallas' roster?

"I remember telling Markquese [Bell] at the combine, 'Hey, Zay ran well. He did really good," Dan Quinn said. "He's a dog.' So, from that time, I've always had my vision on him."

Quinn also said Land performed well at rookie minicamp:

"Well, a lot of things, and I've had my eye on Zay for some time," Quinn said during 2023 rookie minicamp. "I first saw him [as I was] looking at [Markquese] Bell from a year ago, and he had a fantastic junior year — Zay did. He had over 20 sacks and really lit it up. Who is this guy?

Yes, Coach Quinn, Isaiah Land is that good! NFL talent evaluators overlooked his junior campaign as he led the FCS with 19 sacks and 25.5 tackles for losses. He also was named an FCS First-Team All-American and won the 2021 Buck Buchanan Award.

The Dallas Cowboys wrote a feature on Land saying, "Stop me if you've heard this before, but Land brings a certain element to this defense: versatility. In addition to having the pass-rush ability as an edge rusher, the 6-foot-4, 225-pound defender also has potential as an inside linebacker in space. The ability to move anywhere in the second level, along with his athleticism and production from his college days as a Rattler, makes him a high-ceiling prospect in Dallas' 2023 draft class that has the potential to contribute as early as year one. Special teams will most likely be the best fit early on, but even earning that type of roster spot would show early success for one of FCS' top defenders from the last two seasons." Dallas Cowboys featuring Isaiah Land

Land is in a good position with the Cowboys, who hope to have another pass rusher to complement their defensive star, Micah Parsons. Hopefully, he will catch on with Dallas in training camp or produce enough good tape as an audition for another NFL team to sign him.

This article first appeared on HBCUs on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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