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Cowboys Rave About Shocking Rise Of UDFA 'Stealing' Snaps

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Adam Schultz | Last updated Jun 14, 2025 9:56 AM ET

Every offseason, we see a player take a jump that not many see coming, and as OTAs and minicamp have concluded for the Dallas Cowboys, undrafted free agent Brevyn Spann-Ford appears to be that guy.

With a tight end room consisting of Jake Ferguson, who is coming off a down year, and Luke Schoonmaker, who hasn't amounted to anything substantial in his two seasons, Spann-Ford is making head coach Brian Schottenheimer take notice.

Viewed by some as not the most fluid pass catcher, but more of a stud blocker, Spann-Ford has been putting in the work this offseason, to the point where some think that as we turn to training camp in Oxnard, he is the No. 2 tight end behind Ferguson.

“He had an incredible offseason, he really did,” Schottenheimer said of Brevyn. “The size alone, he really moves well. I think he added like six or seven pounds of lean muscle mass. This guy is not just a run blocker, pass protector, this guy can be a weapon because of his size in the middle of the field, matched up on linebackers and safeties.

"The thing I've loved about Brev from day one is you knew that this was not too big for him, mentally he knew I belong here doesn't matter how I got here, I belong here. He's pushing Fergie and Schoony and he's already made the jump, again he's another guy that when he puts the pads on you're going to see him and feel him.”

Again, this was the Underwear Olympics, so when the pads come on in training camp, we will see if Spann-Ford – noticeable at 6-7 and 270 pounds – can carry over his good work.

But one thing is for certain – he's off to a cracking start.

Says CowboysCountry.com insider Mike Fisher: "Ferguson is the guy. But Spann-Ford is stealing snaps at tight end.''

While he still needs more polish as a pass catcher, he has shown he can be a viable option, having had three games with 20+ yards receiving, including a four-reception, 42-yard game against the Houston Texans last season.

So the upside is there.

Now he just has to make it count in training camp, because while Dallas won't be cutting Schoonmaker, it could easily "relegate" him to be the third tight end on the depth chart.

And if that happens, who knows what that means for his Cowboys future, because Spann-Ford, right now, is showing him a clean set of heels.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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