FRISCO, Texas – After the Cowboys’ season-ending loss to the Rams in the divisional round, linebacker Leighton Vander Esch received exciting news on Tuesday: He would replace Luke Kuechly at the 2019 Pro Bowl. Vander Esch becomes the first Cowboys’ defensive rookie in 37 years to make the Pro Bowl and the third-ever defensive rookie in franchise history to accomplish the feat.
He had a standout season his first year in the NFL recording 176 tackles- the most by a Cowboys’ rookie in team history. In addition Leighton amassed seven pass defends and was named the Week 10 NFC Defensive Player of the Week. He was awarded the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month for November, after accumulating 39 tackles and two interceptions in November. Leighton was also named the 2018 Bob Lilly Award recipient, recognized for his “sportsmanship, leadership, and dedication.”
In talking with defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli on the raw talent of the first-round draft pick, he remarked, “ The incredible thing about him is that he has not hit a rookie wall.”
Vander Esch was consistent all year on the football field from sideline to sideline making tackles. He had phenomenal speed and vision off the line of scrimmage to get to ball carriers and make critical stops. He made a smooth transition from Boise State to Dallas, a testament to the coaching ability of first-year linebacker coach Ben Bloom and two-time veteran teammate Sean Lee. Lee has been a premiere LB in the league since 2010, but has never completed a full 16-game season due to injury. He has been the QB of the Cowboys’ defense for many years, and his words of wisdom from the sideline, paired with Bloom’s, significantly impacted and prepared Leighton for each game.
The ‘Wolf Hunter’ is just getting started!!!
