LOCALS IN THE NFL

BYU OL James Empey Signs UDFA Contract With Dallas Cowboys

Apr 30, 2022, 6:00 PM | Updated: 7:33 pm

James Empey - BYU Football...

Quarterback Zach Wilson #1 and offensive lineman James Empey #66 of the BYU Cougars both call out signals during second half action against the Boise State Broncos at Albertsons Stadium on November 6, 2020 in Boise, Idaho. BYU won the game 51-17. (Photo by Loren Orr/Getty Images)

(Photo by Loren Orr/Getty Images)

SALT LAKE CITY – Former BYU football offensive lineman James Empey has signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Dallas Cowboys.

Empey’s trainer, Duke Mayweather, announced Empey’s signing with the Cowboys on Instagram.

“Beyond grateful and excited to get to Dallas! GO COWBOYS,” exclaimed Empey on Twitter.

The offensive line was an area of focus for the Cowboys during the draft. Dallas drafted Tulsa’s Tyler Smith in the first round at pick No. 24. Then in the fifth round, Dallas took Matt Waletzko from North Dakota.

Empey signed with the Cowboys less than an hour after the conclusion of the 2022 NFL draft that took place in Las Vegas. He follows in the footsteps of his father, Mike Empey, a former BYU offensive lineman, who also signed an UDFA deal with the Cowboys back in 1993.

About James Empey

The American Fork, Utah native played for the Cougars from 2017 to 2021.

During his BYU career, Empey played in 41 games.

Empey helped the Cougars to a combined 21-4 record during his final two seasons at BYU.

Kyle Ireland is a Locals in the NFL Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Yards After College Podcast. Follow him on Twitter (@kyleireland) and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).

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BYU OL James Empey Signs UDFA Contract With Dallas Cowboys