Former University of Central Arkansas tight end Landon Trusty has signed a free agent contract with the Dallas Cowboys.
Trusty, a 6-foot-7, 275-pounder from Hot Springs Lakeside, signed with the Cowboys on Tuesday and worked out with the team Tuesday afternoon in mini-camp at Valley Ranch outside Irving, Texas.
Trusty was a two-time Academic All-American at UCA with a perfect 4.0 grade-point average and has been awarded a prestigious NCAA postgraduate scholarship. He finished his career with 78 receptions for 1,062 yards and 20 touchdowns and was a two-time All-Gulf South Conference and All-South
selection.
After being summoned to the Cowboys' mini-camp at the Valley Ranch near Irving, Texas, on Monday, Trusty signed a one-year, free-agent contract for the NFL minimum salary of $240,000, sources indicated. He'll be working with the Cowboys all week and will be one of 80 players who will report to training camp later this summer in California.
The Cowboys had a roster spot open after rookie linebacker Ryan Fowler was released two weeks ago after suffering a back injury. But instead of signing a linebacker, the Cowboys decided to add another player to an already-deep tight end position.
The Cowboys now have six tight ends on the roster, including deep snapper Jeff Robinson, who was used on goal-line situations last year, catching two passes for two touchdowns.
If Trusty had not been picked up by an NFL team, he intended to use one of his remaining two years of basketball eligibility this year with the UCA basketball team.
"I'm extremely happy for Landon because he's a quality person as well as a good athlete and he was a privilege to coach," Conque said. "It says a lot when you can maintain a 4.0 average through college and play two sports two of those years."
"We always thought he had a big upside because of his intelligence and his character as well as his athletic ability. He's got a family now and he's a good family man."
The Bears have now had three players in the last three years sign professional football contracts. Quarterback Brian Stallworth, who signed two years ago, is still playing in Canada as the No. 2 quarterback with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Patrick Smith signed with the New York Jets last year as a deep-snapper.
