At one moment in time, Alijah Clark represented all that was right with the NFL last season. The Dallas Cowboys undrafted free agent success story gained national fame for his viral special teams play. The Cowboys made a ton of weird personnel decisions in 2025, but paying top UDFA money for the Syracuse star, $259,000 in guarantees ranked Top 15 in the league, seems like they landed the right one.
Serving as a gunner on the punt team, he made a game-changing play by forcing a fumble after overcoming blocks, chips and upwards of four stumbles on his tumultuous trip downfield.
Clark's try-hard attitude and never-quit effort endeared him across the Cowboys fanbase, making him an instant fan favorite and "pet cat" to watch for as training camp opens in 2026.
Standing in Clark's way will be the annual numbers crunch in the defensive secondary. Christian Parker, Dallas' new defensive coordinator, is a coverage aficionado. He's going to be extremely demanding in his selections and will be hard-pressed to give up a valuable roster spot to someone who might be nothing more than a special teams celebrity.
The Cowboys, as a franchise, have been extremely accommodating to special teams aces over the years. From the infamous Kenneth Gant in the 1990s to the immortal C.J. Goodwin of today, the Cowboys have been happy to carve out roster spots for especially apt gunners.
As a rookie in 2025, Clark's snap share fell 174 to 40, better than 4:1 in favor of special teams snaps over defensive snaps. It's worth noting his modest contributions on defense were more than what Goodwin contributed in any of his 37 seasons with the Cowboys (OK, it's been eight seasons in Dallas, but you get the point). It stands to reason, if Clark can carve out the top gunner role on special teams, he could have a path to a roster spot, even if his defensive contributions are slight.
At 6-foot-1, 187 pounds, Clark isn't the most imposing prospect on the roster, but in an area such as special teams it's every bit about tenacity and effort as it is about physical ability. Clark will be facing competition from the likes of Markquese Bell , Reddy Steward , Caelen Carson , Trikweze Bridges and Zion Childress for the Cowboys' last roster spot. Heck, he may even face off against Goodwin if Dallas decides to bring the legend back. In other words: it's going to be hard road ahead.
Special teams is a tough way to make an NFL roster, but in some cases, it's the only way. For Clark, this might be the best way.
You can follow Reid on X @ReidDHanson and be sure to follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys' Alijah Clark could be the next in long line of ST aces
