The Dallas Cowboys have a knack for finding hidden gems in the undrafted free agent pool, and this year's class is no exception. Meet Shiyazh Pete, a massive offensive tackle from Kentucky who brings a fascinating journey and a sky-high ceiling to the Cowboys' roster.
Standing at an imposing 6'9" and 309 pounds, Pete's path to the NFL wasn't exactly a straight line. He began his college career at New Mexico State in 2021, where he redshirted and spent a year adjusting from small-school football to the size, speed, and structure of the FBS level. That developmental season paid off in 2022, when he appeared in 12 games and started the final nine at left tackle, helping the Aggies close the season with three straight 200-yard rushing games and a program-record 25 touchdowns.
Pete's breakout came in 2023, when he started all 15 games at left tackle for New Mexico State. The Aggies finished 10-5, reached the Conference USA Championship Game, and played in the Isleta New Mexico Bowl. It was the program's first double-digit-win season since 1960 and its first back-to-back bowl run in over 60 years. Pete earned First Team All-Conference USA honors, with the league crediting him for anchoring one of the nation's best rushing attacks.
The 2024 season was a bit of a rollercoaster. After entering the year with national recognition, Pete missed the first six games due to injury. He returned to start the final six at left tackle, allowing just five quarterback pressures on 193 pass-blocking plays, including two sacks and three hurries. That resilience caught the eye of Kentucky, which brought him in as a transfer to fill their starting left tackle spot. Pete delivered, starting all 12 games and recording a team-high 35 knockdown blocks.
For Cowboys fans, Pete's size and experience are hard to ignore. With 31 career starts at left tackle, he brings a level of polish and power that could make him a valuable depth piece on the offensive line. Whether he's clearing lanes in the run game or holding his ground in pass protection, Pete's journey from unranked recruit to NFL hopeful is exactly the kind of story that makes draft season so exciting.