© Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
'It's A Blessing': Texas LB DeMarvion Overshown Living Childhood Dream With Dallas Cowboys
When DeMarvion Overshown was in the third grade, he proclaimed that two things would undoubtedly happen in his life: he'd play for the homegrown Texas Longhorns, then suit up for the Dallas Cowboys.
After four years and a handful of highlights later, part one of the goal has been achieved. So long as he continues to work diligently in minicamp and offseason workouts, part two of the pipeline story should become a reality by early September.
"It’s a blessing," Overshown told Cowboys media over the weekend. "I can’t stop smiling about it when people ask me, and I say I’m a Dallas Cowboy. It’s great because, as a little boy, it’s all I dreamed of being. Now that I’m here, I’m just excited. I can’t wait.”
Overshown, the Cowboys' third-round pick in last month's draft, is already getting acclimated in Dan Quinn's defensive look during the rookie minicamp, along with a handful of players looking to become staples of the franchise moving forward. Expected to contribute as the team's potential starting weakside linebacker, the 6-4 linebacker is soaking in as much knowledge as possible during the off-period before veterans arrive and pick his brain.
When the Cowboys used the 90th overall pick on Overshown, they believed they were getting both a leader on the field and in the locker room. Correct on both ends based on his college production. Overshown was more than just a three-year starter in Austin; he was a staple of the newly formed Longhorns under coach Steve Sarkisian.
Overshown carried the torch of being the face of a program with ease. He embraced the Forty Acres culture, often being spotted during pregame donning a black cowboy hat. On the field, his "Armband Bandit" mentality rang true as hits were delivered behind the line of scrimmage.
Sarkisian, who spent two seasons with Quinn as the Falcons' offensive coordinator, could see what his former boss coveted the now-retired "Agent Zero."
“Man, I’m so fired up for the Cowboys and fired up for D-Mo,” Sarkisian said during an event in Fort Worth at the Texas Fight Tour. “I think he’s a perfect fit, you know. I worked with Dan Quinn for two years in Atlanta. You know that defense is predicated on playing fast and being physical."
Sarkisian mentioned that Quinn loves versatility in defensive players. The more useful one can be a unit, the better.
All-Pro defender Micah Parsons boasts similar and yet differing traits to Overshown. The former first-round pick played both defensive end and linebacker during his time at Penn State and has been one of the league's top blitzers since being drafted in 2021. Overshown, a former four-star recruit from Arp, lined up in various positions under both Sarkisian and former coach Tom Herman.
"Overshown played safety in high school, obviously played ‘backer, and then we utilized him even coming off the edge some this year as a pass rusher,” said Sarkisian.
Consistency should benefit Overshown, creating an early role in Quinn's defense. In three years as a starter, he registered at least 60 tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss. Last season, Overshown was named a first-team All-Big 12 defender, opposite fellow Texas Jaylan Ford, after recording 78 tackles and four sacks.
“Dan’s defense is about speed and being physical when you get to the football, and those two things describe DeMarvion," said Sarkisian. "He can run, and when he gets there, he arrives angry. So I just think it’s an awesome fit.”
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