By Cowboys Insider | PML Coverage
Frisco, TX — The Arrival of Controlled Chaos
When the Dallas Cowboys used their second first-round pick in the 2026 PML Draft to select Matayo Uiagalelei, they didn’t just add another pass rusher — they added a prototype.
At 6’5”, 270 pounds with rare explosiveness and length, the former Oregon standout embodies everything Head Coach Cody Hirsch preaches on defense: discipline, violence, and versatility.
Since joining the Cowboys, Uiagalelei has drawn praise from teammates for his work ethic and maturity, quickly earning rotational reps alongside Marshawn Kneeland and Donovan Ezeiruaku. The rookie sat down with Cowboys Insider to discuss his draft night, his new role, and how he plans to bring chaos to opposing quarterbacks in 2026.
Exclusive One-on-One: Matayo Uiagalelei
Q: First off, welcome to Dallas. What was your reaction when you heard your name called by the Cowboys on draft night?
Matayo: “It was surreal, honestly. I’ve always respected how the Cowboys do things — physical football, pride in the star, a culture built on accountability. When I saw Coach Hirsch’s number pop up, it hit me right away that this was where I belonged. He told me, ‘We’re building something special in the trenches,’ and I couldn’t stop smiling. I wanted to be a part of that.”
Q: Coach Hirsch has described you as a ‘chess piece’ for the defense. How do you see your fit in Dallas’ system?
Matayo: “That’s the fun part — the flexibility. Coach [Al] Harris wants us to be unpredictable. Some snaps I’m standing up on the edge, sometimes I’m inside next to Osa [Odighizuwa], sometimes I’m dropping back into the flat. I love that freedom. My job is to create confusion — make the tackle guess, make the quarterback hesitate. Controlled chaos — that’s what Coach calls it.”
Q: You join a loaded defensive front with Kneeland, Ezeiruaku, and Odighizuwa. How have those guys helped you so far?
Matayo: “They’ve been huge. Marshawn’s been on me about hand timing — when to swipe and when to counter. Donovan’s all about energy; he keeps reminding me to finish every rep like it’s 3rd and 7. And Osa’s taught me a ton about leverage. It’s a competitive group, but everyone wants the guy next to them to win. That’s what makes it special.”
Q: What did Coach Hirsch tell you right after the pick?
Matayo: “He said, ‘We’re not drafting you for potential — we’re drafting you to impact the game right now.’ That stuck with me. I know expectations are high, but that’s why I’m here. He made it clear that effort and toughness come before anything else. If you play hard and play smart, you’ll fit right in.”
Q: You were a highly-touted recruit coming out of high school and played big-time football at Oregon. What’s been the biggest adjustment stepping into an NFL locker room?
Matayo: “Honestly, the pace. Everything’s faster — not just the plays, but the preparation. In college, you can rely on athleticism. Here, everyone’s strong, everyone’s fast. You have to win with detail. Film, angles, tendencies — the small things separate you. The veterans here live in the film room, and I’m trying to match that.”
Q: Coach Hirsch calls his defense ‘The Wave’ — constant rotation, nonstop pressure. What excites you most about that approach?
Matayo: “It’s perfect for me. I play high-energy ball. With the rotation, you stay fresh and explosive. It’s not about one guy chasing stats — it’s about all of us collapsing the pocket together. When we swarm, quarterbacks panic. That’s the mindset: make every down feel like 3rd and long.”
Q: The Cowboys emphasize culture as much as scheme. What have you learned about that so far?
Matayo: “It’s real here. Accountability isn’t a slogan — it’s daily. Coach Hirsch says, ‘You don’t wear the star until you earn it,’ and that hit me hard. The veterans hold everyone to that standard. If you mess up, they coach you. If you make a play, they celebrate you. It’s competitive, but it’s family.”
Q: What kind of impact do you hope to make in your rookie season?
Matayo: “Be dependable. I want my coaches and teammates to trust that I’ll do my job every snap. I’m not chasing Rookie of the Year or stats — I’m chasing consistency. If I do my job right, the sacks and plays will come. And when they do, I want to make sure the team feeds off that energy.”
Q: Last one — what message do you have for Cowboys fans as you start your journey in Dallas?
Matayo: “Just know I’m coming to work. Every day. I’m grateful to wear the star, and I want to earn the respect of this fan base the same way I earn it in the locker room — through effort, toughness, and results. We’re building something here, and I promise it’s going to be fun to watch.”
Coach Hirsch’s Take
“Matayo plays like he’s got something to prove every snap,” Hirsch said after camp. “He’s physical, disciplined, and coachable — exactly the kind of guy we want leading our next generation of defenders.”
The Final Word
Matayo Uiagalelei isn’t just another first-round pick — he’s the future face of Dallas’ defensive front.
With his rare blend of size, intelligence, and relentless motor, he embodies the Hirsch philosophy: smart, physical, and all-business.
He doesn’t talk about being a star — he just works to earn one.
Film Room Breakdown — “Matayo Uiagalelei: Rookie Edge Brings Controlled Chaos to the Star”
By Cowboys Insider | PML Film Review
Frisco, TX — The Tape Doesn’t Lie
The box score from the Cowboys’ preseason opener doesn’t capture the full story of Matayo Uiagalelei’s debut — but the tape does.
Even without a sack, Dallas’ rookie edge rusher showcased exactly why Coach Cody Hirsch and Defensive Coordinator Al Harris view him as a centerpiece of their 2026 defensive identity: power, precision, and patience.
Let’s dive into the tape.
1. First Step: Controlled Violence
From the opening series, Uiagalelei’s burst off the ball stood out. His get-off time measured just over 0.7 seconds — elite for a 270-pound defensive end. What makes it special is the control. He doesn’t overrun his target; he stays balanced, eyes locked on the quarterback’s launch point.
On the Ravens’ second drive, he exploded off the right edge against a pulling guard, flattened, and forced the quarterback to step into Donovan Ezeiruaku’s pursuit — a textbook “team sack” created by discipline, not freelancing.
“That’s what we coach,” said Al Harris. “Don’t chase plays — collapse them.”
2. Hand Technique: Veteran-Level Timing
One of Uiagalelei’s best reps came early in the second quarter. Facing a double team, he countered with a club-rip combo, splitting the blockers and collapsing the pocket before the quarterback could climb. Though it didn’t record as a stat, it forced a rushed throw that nearly resulted in a Shemar James interception.
His hand timing is already advanced — a credit to his college background and early mentorship from Marshawn Kneeland. Kneeland and Uiagalelei worked side-by-side all week on inside hand leverage, and it showed.
“Matayo’s got those heavy hands,” Kneeland said. “You feel it when he makes contact. That’s grown-man strength already.”
3. Run Defense: Edge Integrity
Dallas’ defensive system under Hirsch demands more than sacks — it demands responsibility. Uiagalelei proved he can play the edge with discipline, maintaining contain and squeezing down gaps instead of chasing flashy plays.
Late in the third quarter, he stoned a pulling guard, held the edge, and forced the run back inside — right into Damone Clark and Dontay Corleone for a stop. That’s the kind of silent contribution that earns starting reps.
“We talk about trust a lot in this defense,” Hirsch said. “Matayo’s already showing we can trust him to do his job. That’s how you earn snaps.”
4. Motor: Never Off
What truly jumps off the film isn’t a single move — it’s the relentlessness. Uiagalelei chases plays 20 yards downfield, hustles through blocks, and closes pursuit angles like a linebacker.
Even when doubled, he keeps working hands, fighting for leverage, and forcing offenses to account for him every snap.
That motor fits perfectly into what Hirsch calls “The Wave” — Dallas’ rotational attack of fresh rushers who wear down offensive lines through collective effort.
“He plays like he’s still trying to make the team,” said DC Al Harris. “That’s the kind of energy we want — relentless effort, every down.”
5. The Fit: The Next Great Cowboy Edge
In the Cowboys’ 4–3 multiple look, Uiagalelei has already carved out a defined role. He’ll line up primarily at right endin base formations but will also shift inside on passing downs, creating matchup nightmares against slower interior linemen.
With Donovan Ezeiruaku’s burst off the left edge and Osa Odighizuwa’s quickness inside, Uiagalelei completes a trio that blends size, speed, and IQ — exactly what Coach Hirsch envisioned when he said he wanted a defense that “dictates, not reacts.”
Film Room Summary
| Category | Grade | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Explosiveness | A- | Consistent burst off snap, elite balance for size |
| Hand Technique | A | Advanced timing and counter moves for a rookie |
| Run Discipline | B+ | Maintains edge, forces cutbacks, strong leverage |
| Motor / Effort | A+ | Relentless pursuit — plays through the whistle every down |
| Versatility | A | Can rush from 3-tech, 5-tech, or stand-up edge |
What’s Next
Uiagalelei will continue to rotate with the first team in the next preseason game, expected to see increased snaps in passing situations. Coaches plan to test his endurance and reaction timing in live stunts alongside Kneeland and Damone Clark.
If his current trajectory continues, Matayo Uiagalelei could enter Week 1 as not just a starter — but a tone-setter.
“He’s everything we thought he was,” Coach Hirsch said. “He doesn’t talk much, but his play speaks for him. And it’s saying loud and clear — Dallas found its next edge star.”
