Marist Liufau

Marist Lealofi Liufau (born February 9, 2001) is an American professional football linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Marist Liufau

Liufau autographing a fan's jersey in 2025
No. 35 – Dallas Cowboys
Position:	Linebacker
Personal information
Born:	(2001-02-09) February 9, 2001 (age 24) Kalihi, Hawaii, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:	239 lb (108 kg)
Career information
High school:	Punahou (Honolulu, Hawaii)
College:	Notre Dame (2019–2023)
NFL draft:	2024: 3rd round, 87th pick
Career history
Dallas Cowboys (2024–present)
Roster status:	Active
Career NFL statistics as of 2024
Total tackles: 50 Sacks: 1.5 Forced fumbles: 2 Fumble recoveries: 1 Pass deflections: 3 Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

Liufau attended Punahou School in Honolulu, Hawaii.^[1] He was selected to play in the 2019 Polynesian Bowl. He committed to the University of Notre Dame to play college football.^[2][3]

College career

In his first season at Notre Dame in 2019, Liufau appeared in four games and in 2020 he started three of 10 games and had 22 tackles and 0.5 sacks. He missed the 2021 season after suffering an ankle injury in practice.^[4] Liufau returned from the injury in 2022 to start all 13 games and finished with 51 tackles, 0.5 sacks and an interception.^[5] As a senior in 2023, he started all 12 games he played in, recording 44 tackles and three sacks. Liufau opted out of the 2023 Sun Bowl and entered the 2024 NFL draft.^[6]

College statistics

Year	Team	Games		Tackles				Interceptions				Fumbles
		GP	GS	Total	Solo	Ast	Sack	PD	Int	Yds	TD	FF	FR	TD
2019	Notre Dame	4	0	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2020	Notre Dame	10	3	22	10	12	0.5	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
2021	Notre Dame	0	0	DNP
2022	Notre Dame	13	13	51	22	29	0.5	1	1	0	0	0	1	0
2023	Notre Dame	12	12	44	23	21	3.0	2	0	0	0	1	1	0
Career		39	28	117	55	62	4.0	3	1	0	0	1	3	0

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables

Height	Weight	Arm length	Hand span	40-yard dash	10-yard split	20-yard split	20-yard shuttle	Three-cone drill	Vertical jump	Broad jump	Bench press
6 ft 2+1⁄8 in (1.88 m)	234 lb (106 kg)	34+1⁄4 in (0.87 m)	9+7⁄8 in (0.25 m)	4.64 s	1.59 s	2.72 s	4.18 s	7.14 s	30.0 in (0.76 m)	9 ft 0 in (2.74 m)	16 reps
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[7][8][9]

Liufau was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the third round with the 87th overall selection in the 2024 NFL draft.^[10]

NFL career statistics

Year	Team	Games		Tackles					Interceptions						Fumbles
		GP	GS	Total	Solo	Ast	Sck	Sfty	PD	Int	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD	FF	FR	TD
2024	DAL	17	9	50	30	20	1.5	0	3	0	0	0.0	0	0	2	1	0
Career		17	9	50	30	20	1.5	0	3	0	0	0.0	0	0	2	1	0

Personal life

Liufau is the cousin of Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua.^[11]

Liufau is dating WNBA star guard, and former Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Sonia Citron.