Cowboys Draft 'Sleeping Giant' with Rugby History

After a 2024 season where the Dallas Cowboys struggled stopping the run, the front office has turned to one of their last NFL Draft picks to add depth in the defensive trenches.

At No. 217 - the first pick in the seventh round - the Dallas Cowboys selected UCLA's Jay Toia, a defensive tackle known for his wide frame and run-stopping prowess.

Toia measures at 6-2, 342 pounds and will be a huge addition (literally) to the Cowboys' interior defensive line that features Mazi Smith, Osa Odighizuwa and Solomon Thomas.

One scout explained Toia's strongest skill with the best chance to translate to the NFL:

"He’s a sleeping giant on my big board and will clog up some serious lanes in the run game."

Toia's mass allows him to be an immediate run-stopping threat, but despite his size, he exemplifies great balance for shedding blocks between the tackles.

Some of that elusiveness can be credited to his history playing rugby as a youth ... and if you are familiar with rugby, you know he'll also bring toughness and a strong willingness to play physical.

Toia grew up in Inglewood, California but spent the majority of his childhood in the Virgin Islands. Once he returned to the states in 2017, he was encouraged to pursue football and turned into a four-star recruit.

Toia shined as a three-year starter at UCLA after transferring from SoCal rival USC. He finished his career with 91 total tackles, nine tackles for loss and three sacks. His career was highlighted with an Honorable Mention Big 10 nod last season.

He was also a team captain in his time with the Bruins, furthering the Cowboys' trend of drafting high-character leaders for new head coach and culture-builder Brian Schottenheimer.

The big man will join the Cowboys' D-line that allowed the fourth-most rushing yards and a league-high 25 rushing touchdowns in 2024. New defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus now has more depth to cycle in at 1-tech tackle.