An Ivory Darling: Azur Kamara makes the Dallas Cowboys 53-man roster

Dallas Cowboys defensive end and Ivory Coast native, Azur Kamara, is on a path untraveled, and who knows how long it will last, but it should be appreciated. Kamara’s path to this point has been nothing short of incredible and whether he hangs around the 53-man roster or practice squad, some recognition is deserved.

Kamara moved to the United States at 10 years old after spending the early part of his childhood living in Ivory Coast in Western Africa. His mother fled the nation in the midst of a civil war. The young Kamara was moved to a foreign land and had to learn how to speak English as well as a new life.

Despite not playing football until high school, the raw prospect racked up 25.5 sacks in one season of high school football. No matter what level, that amount of sacks is unheard of. This output put Kamara on the map to take his skills to the next level.

Azur Kamara deserves his roster spot on the Dallas Cowboys

His path took him to Arizona Western College for two seasons then eventually to the University of Kansas, This is where Kamara started to make some waves as he started every game of his senior season and drew NFL attention.

The Cowboys took a chance on Kamara and signed him as an undrafted free agent out of Kansas in 2020. The upside of the defensive end is incredibly intriguing with his mix of size, length, and speed despite how raw his skills are.

Kamara posted a 4.59 40-yard dash. A blazing speed for someone listed at 6’3″ and weighing in at 245 pounds. That sort of thing is something you can’t coach and is exactly what the Cowboys are taking the chance on.

Last year Kamara spent the season between the injured reserve and practice squad as he worked to tweak his skillset while also simply building his football IQ and football instincts. The time spent doing those things proved to be very beneficial as the defensive end entered the 2021 training camp.

Kamara’s story has been highlighted throughout HBO’s “Hard Knocks” and rightfully so. There have been clips of his mother with a purely genuine smile and exuberant happiness seeing her son chase his dream. Those moments and storylines simply can’t be scripted.

The NFL deadline to get to 53 players on the active roster came and went. Kamara found himself on the Dallas Cowboys 53-man roster. An incredible achievement for an individual who once found himself in America with no clue what his new life would entail.

How long does Kamara stay on the roster? That number is unknown with potential for signing veterans, adding a player at a position needing more depth, and a million other factors NFL teams face on a weekly basis. The Ivory Coast Native and current Dallas Cowboys defensive end should know he has a place in the NFL, be it the active roster or practice squad, and be proud of the fight he has put in to get to this point.