FRISCO, Texas – Leighton Vander Esch quickly learned the value of versatility playing eight-man high school football in Riggins, Idaho.
“You couldn’t come off the field. You had to play both ways,” he said. “You got in shape real quick, but it was good. You really learned how to open-field tackle.”
So it’s no surprise the Cowboys’ first-round draft pick is willing to play any linebacker position in Rod Marinelli’s 4-3 defense, even though he’s most familiar with the middle spot.
“They could rush me off the edge if they wanted to.