NFL Draft Rumors: Aaron Donald wants to play for Dallas Cowboys

Dec 26, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers defensive lineman Aaron Donald (97) holds the lineman of the game trophy after defeating Bowling Green Falcons 30-27 to win the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports /

No defensive tackle put up better numbers than Aaron Donald of the Pittsburgh Panthers in 2013.

Donald will likely be picked in the upper half or middle of the first round and there is one coach, Dallas Cowboys’ assistant Rod Marinelli, that he would like to play for.

“I had the opportunity to talk to him a couple times at the Combine, I talked to him last night and I talked to him today,” Donald told David Helman of DallasCowboys.com. “He’s a great coach, and just talking to him and looking in his eyes – the way he talks, he’s got a passion for the game of football and he loves the game of football.

“He loves doing what he does, so that’s a coach I’d love to play for and learn from. Knowing he coached guys like Warren Sapp, that just gets you excited just knowing he’s got history and is one of the best to do it. If I was able to play for Coach Marinelli that would be a blessing, but we’re going to see.”

Donald made 59 tackles, 28.5 for loss and 11.0 sacks in 2013.

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