Five things to know about Dallas Cowboys’ seventh-round pick Tommy Akingbesote
The Dallas Cowboys went defense with their last pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, selecting Maryland defensive tackle Tommy Akingbesote with the No. 247 pick.
Akingbesote was the team’s second defensive tackle drafted, after UCLA’s Jay Toia.
Here’s what to know about Akingbestoe.
Football hero
Chase Young was a superstar at various schools in Maryland and in college at Ohio State before getting drafted by the Washington Commanders, and Akingbesote picked the New Orleans Saint as his football hero.
Maturity led to a record season
Akingbesote cited his growth in maturity and a greater understanding of the game as reasons for his career season in 2024, where he had 32 tackles, five tackles for loss and a sack.
Who he enjoyed watching
Chris Jones and Nnamdi Madubuike were Akingbesote’s choices when picking which NFL players he liked to watch, and he called the pair technicians.
High School recruitment
One of the top recruits at his position, Akingbesote, was ranked as the 20th best defensive lineman in the country in high school according to 247 Sports.
From Maryland
Akingbesote attended Charles Herbert Flowers High School in Largo, Md., before going to the University of Maryland.
