Dallas Cowboys’ David Irving: From dismissed to stardom
Pass rusher David Irving has gone from a college afterthought to potential NFL stardom with the Dallas Cowboys in less than three years.
Defensive lineman David Irving’s story with the Dallas Cowboys is still a work in progress and without an ending up to this point. And although a brief story so far, what an ending it could potentially be.
Irving came over to the Cowboys from the Kansas City Chiefs in 2015. But his journey up to that point is what makes his story so unique.
Before Irving joined the Chiefs he was not even sure if he would have a future playing football in the NFL. He played his college football at Iowa State before being kicked off the team during his junior year. The reason for his dismissal? A photo was taken of him carrying a stop sign and taking part in a student riot during “Veisha” which was described as a school celebration. This photo surfaced just months after Irving had a domestic violence case against him dismissed.
After being kicked off the team at Iowa State, the Chiefs were the only team to give Irving a shot. After all, you do not find many 6-foot-7, 290 pound defensive lineman that can run a 4.84 second 40-yard dash, which is what he ran at his own pro-day later that year. Seven NFL teams were in attendance.
Irving went through training camp in 2015 with the Chiefs but would end up landing on their practice squad. Later that same year he would be claimed by the Cowboys who were looking for help on their defensive line.
Irving did not really flash for the Cowboys until the end of last year. The potential he put on display gave the Cowboys hope that they made the right decision to gamble on Irving. He finished with three sacks in the final three games and at times looked unblockable. And so far this year, Irving has five sacks through three games and is on pace for twenty sacks!
What if Irving was not suspended for the first four games of the year? Could himself and defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence be among the league leaders in sacks? Even with Irving missing the first four games, that may not be a pipe dream with the pace him and Lawrence are on.
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With David Irving playing as an exclusive rights free agent, with nothing guaranteed contractually beyond this year, he could be lining himself up for a nice payday this offseason. The Dallas Cowboys will certainly have some decisions to make this coming offseason with both Lawrence and Irving looking for new contracts.