Cowboys Sign All-UFL LB Willie Harvey Jr.

The Dallas Cowboys are signing linebacker Willie Harvey Jr. of the United Football League (UFL), per Tom Pelissero of NFL Media. The Florida native began playing with the St. Louis Battlehawks in 2023. Harvey, 28, recently worked out for Dallas.

Dallas Cowboys linebacker Willie Harvey Jr. led the UFL with 78 tackles, four sacks in 10 games last season

The 5-foot-11, 230-pound linebacker was an All-UFL selection after leading the league with 78 tackles and four sacks in 10 games. He also finished No. 1 among all linebackers in tackles for loss (nine), passes defended (six), and forced fumbles (two).

Harvey signed as an undrafted NFL free agent with the Cleveland Browns in 2019. However, he was waived by the Browns on Aug. 31, 2019, and was signed to the practice squad the next day.

Breaking: The Dallas Cowboys are signing @XFLBattlehawks LB Willie Harvey Jr., per @TomPelissero.

Harvey was an All-#UFL defender for St. Louis this year, leading the league in tackles (78), stuffing the stat sheets all season long (9 TFL's, 4 sacks, 6 PBU's). Baller. pic.twitter.com/HMhJAek2ac

— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN) June 18, 2024

Furthermore, Harvey has made two combined tackles in four career NFL games — two in 2019 and two in 2021.

Although the Iowa State alum was promoted to the active roster on Sept. 21, 2019, he was then placed on injured reserve on Oct. 4. After the Browns waived him on Sept. 5, 2020, the team re-signed him on Dec. 18, 2021.

Additionally, Harvey has appeared in four career NFL games — two in 2019 and two in 2021. He played exclusively on special teams and made a total of two tackles in those games.

Dallas had success with ex-USFL kicker Brandon Aubrey last season

Since the retirement of Leighton Vander Esch, the Cowboys have been working to strengthen their linebacker corps. Dallas also signed veteran linebacker Eric Kendricks to start alongside Damone Clark.

The young linebacker group overall lacks experience, with 2023 third-round pick DeMarvion Overshown and 2024 third-round pick Marist Liufau as the main backups.

Signing players from other football leagues is nothing new for the Cowboys. Dallas signed kicker Brandon Aubrey following his success with the USFL champion Birmingham Stallions.

In Aubrey’s rookie year in the NFL last season, he made 36 of his 38 field goal attempts (94.7%) and was a Pro Bowler and First Team All-Pro.

If Harvey can somehow match Aubrey’s level of productivity, the former Cyclone could potentially become one of the Cowboys’ best offseason signings.