Coach Prime’s first NFL pick could be stealing a roster spot in Dallas

Coach Primes first NFL pick could be stealing a roster spot in Dallas originally appeared on Athlon Sports.Before he ever walked the sidelines in Boulder, Deion Sanders was building something at Jackson State.

And one of the first players who truly reflected his vision was James Houston IV.

Drafted in the sixth round by the Detroit Lions in 2022, Houston became the first NFL player selected after playing for Coach Prime.Now in Dallas, the former Jackson State star is back in the spotlight, and hes making it count.Houston isnt just showing up at training camp.

Hes fighting for a roster spot in one of the NFLs most competitive edge groups.

For Colorado fans tracking Coach Primes influence beyond Folsom Field, this story hits home.Detroit Lions linebacker James Houston (41) sacks Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kyle Allen (4) during the first half of a preseason game at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, August 24, 2024.Junfu Han USA TODAY NETWORKHes Rebuilding the Spark That Made Him a Rookie SensationIn just seven games as a rookie in 2022, Houston racked up eight sacks in a breakout campaign that made the league take notice.

Injuries slowed his momentum in 2023 and saw him bounce between Detroit and Cleveland.

But now, hes healthy, focused, and flashing the same burst that made scouts double-check his draft number.At Cowboys camp, Houston has been a consistent disruptor off the edge, reminding coaches why he was once seen as a steal.Hes Outworking Everyone and Coaches Are NoticingReporters at Oxnard have noted that Houston is regularly the last player off the field, staying late to work with position coaches.

In a loaded Dallas defensive end room, where rookies like Donovan Ezeiruaku are turning heads and veterans like Dante Fowler Jr.

are battling for snaps, effort matters.This kind of hustle doesnt guarantee a spot, but it makes it hard to ignore.Hes Making Roster Decisions Complicated in DallasLets be real, Houstons path to the 53-man roster isnt easy.

The Cowboys are deep at defensive end.

But thats what makes his current run so intriguing.

Marshawn Kneeland has made strides, and Sam Williams is ascending, but Houston keeps stacking good days.If he keeps this up, Dallas faces a risky decision: do they try to stash him on the practice squad, or keep a potential playmaker on the active roster?Related: Colorado's first Black football captain dead at 76For Buffs Fans, This Is Bigger Than the NFLJames Houston IV represents more than a draft pick.

Hes Coach Primes first NFL legacy, a former Tiger trying to earn a star on his helmet.

His grind in Dallas speaks volumes about the culture Deion Sanders created at Jackson State and is now building at Colorado.Buffs fans should keep watching.

Because if James Houston IV makes the Cowboys roster, its another win for Prime, and another sign his way works.Related: Deion Sanders announces new sponsorship after beating bladder cancerThis story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 5, 2025, where it first appeared..

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