Cowboys Hard Knocks fan-favorite making shocking position change
By Kristen Wong
Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Isaac Alarcon is making a surprising position change for next season.
Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Isaac Alarcon wanted to try the cake, and now he wants to try a new position.
Having rose to fame during the Cowboys’ Hard Knocks season for his likeable backstory, Alarcon is reportedly moving to an entirely different position for 2023. Alarcon has anchored the O-line for the last three years and will make the jump to the defensive line.
The Mexico native impressed Dallas so much while taking snaps for the scout team defense last season that coaches believed he would be an even better fit on the defensive line.
In announcing the move, Cowboys VP of player personnel Will McClay said Alarcon possesses the skillset to play on either the offensive line or defensive line, and his performance in 2022 “opened defensive coaches’ eyes to give him a serious look on defense.”
Alarcon has taken a less traditional path to the NFL, playing football in college and for the Mexican national team before joining Dallas in 2020 as part of the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program.
He’s been developing nicely on the team’s practice squad for the last few years and could see his first season snaps in his new position in 2023.
Cowboys news: Isaac Alarcon is being moved to defensive tackle for 2023
After three years on the Cowboys’ practice squad through the international player pathway program as an offensive lineman, I'm told Isaac Alarcon will shift over to the defensive line this year. The staff liked what he did in practice and now want to see if he has a chance there.
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) March 20, 2023
Dallas’ defense ranks as one of the most talented in the league with stars like Micah Parsons, Demarcus Lawrence, and Trevor Diggs headlining the group.
On the defensive line, the Cowboys currently boast a strong group with Quinton Bohanna and Neville Gallimore, among others, and also have their eye on what their two unrestricted free agent D-linemen, Johnathan Hankins and Carlos Watkins, will do this offseason.
As part of the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program, the Cowboys kept Alarcon on the team as a roster exemption since 2020. In 2023, Alarcon is no longer eligible for the exemption and will need to earn his roster spot fair and square.
If and when he plays his first snaps for Dallas, he can finally have his cake.
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