Navajo Star Shiyazh Pete Earns Dallas Cowboys NFL Shot
Shiyazh Pete Makes History as First Navajo Player to Sign with an NFL Team
The Big News
Shiyazh Pete, a 23-year-old offensive lineman, has done something no other Navajo person has done before — he signed a contract with an NFL team. The Dallas Cowboys gave him a chance as an undrafted free agent (that means he wasn’t picked in the big NFL Draft, but the team still wanted him).
IMPORTANT POINT
Shiyazh Pete is the first Navajo player ever to sign with an NFL team. This is a historic moment for the Navajo Nation and Native American representation in professional football.
Who Is Shiyazh Pete?
By the Numbers
- Age: 23 years old (born May 23, 2003)
- Height: 6 feet 9 inches tall
- Weight: 309 pounds
- Position: Right Guard (previously played Left Tackle in college)
- Current Team: Dallas Cowboys
- Status: Third-team right guard on the depth chart
Where He Comes From
- Born: Ronan, Montana, on the Flathead Indian Reservation
- Parents: Navajo mother and father who is Navajo and Salish (another Native American tribe from Montana)
- High School: Shiprock High School in New Mexico
- College: New Mexico State University (4 years) → University of Kentucky (1 year)
Shiyazh’s Journey to the NFL
Step-by-Step Path
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Late Start to Football — Shiyazh didn’t play football until 7th grade. Before that, his sport was judo!
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High School Challenges — He transferred to Shiprock High School as a sophomore and became an all-district player. But then COVID-19 canceled his entire senior season in 2020, so college coaches couldn’t see him play.
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Walking On at New Mexico State — With no scholarship offers, he "walked on" (joined the team without a scholarship) at New Mexico State University.
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Redshirt Year (2022) — He sat out his first year to practice and get stronger without using up his eligibility.
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Becoming a Star — He became a standout left tackle and helped the 2024 team win 10 games, including a huge victory at Auburn (winning by three touchdowns!).
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Transfer to Kentucky — For his final year of college eligibility, he transferred to the University of Kentucky, won the starting job, and started all 12 games.
- Hula Bowl & Cowboys Tryout — He played well in the Hula Bowl (a college all-star game) and earned a free-agent contract with the Dallas Cowboys.
What He Says About His Journey
In an interview from Cowboys training camp in Oxnard, California, Shiyazh shared his feelings:
"Las Cruces has treated me well. White Sands is a beautiful monument, and there’s good medicine there. The university itself, I’ve come to cherish as a really profound memory; it’s a crimson banner I will wear for a lifetime."
"When I first got there, I didn’t know too much about the world of football, the world of college life, outside of the reservation. To think I’d be here now, five years into the future, just because I play the game of football… it’s a privilege. It’s a testament to how much hard work really pays off."
Support from the Navajo Nation
Buu Nygren, the President of the Navajo Nation, congratulated Shiyazh with these powerful words:
"Shiyazh Pete represents more than football. He represents where he comes from, the work it takes to get here, and the pride of our people."
What Happens Next?
The Competition
- Shiyazh is listed as the third-team right guard on the official depth chart
- He’s competing behind Tyler Booker and Trevor Keegan
- The Cowboys typically keep 5 or 6 interior offensive linemen on their final roster
- Currently there are 9 interior linemen on the roster fighting for those spots
The Odds
REALITY CHECK
Making an NFL roster as an undrafted free agent is very difficult. Shiyazh faces long odds, but as the article says — "those odds exist." He has a real chance if he keeps working hard and impressing the coaches during training camp and preseason games.
Summary
Shiyazh Pete’s story is one of perseverance, hard work, and breaking barriers. From starting football late, losing his senior season to COVID, walking on at New Mexico State, becoming a star, transferring to Kentucky, and now making history as the first Navajo player to sign with an NFL team — his journey inspires everyone who’s ever been told "you can’t" or "it’s too late."
Whether he makes the final Cowboys roster or not, he’s already won by representing his people, his culture, and showing what’s possible with dedication.
FAQ
What does "undrafted free agent" mean?
It means a player wasn’t selected during the NFL Draft (where teams pick college players), but a team still wants to sign them to a contract and give them a chance to make the team.
What’s the difference between left tackle and right guard?
Both are offensive line positions (they protect the quarterback and block for running backs). Left tackle protects the quarterback’s blind side (usually the most important line position). Right guard lines up on the right side of the center. Shiyazh played left tackle in college but is learning right guard for the Cowboys.
What is a "depth chart"?
It’s the team’s official ranking of players at each position. "First-team" means starter, "second-team" means backup, "third-team" means third string. Shiyazh is currently third-team right guard.
How many players make the final NFL roster?
NFL teams can keep 53 players on their active roster during the regular season. For offensive linemen, teams usually keep 8-10 total (tackles, guards, and centers combined).
Why is this historic for the Navajo Nation?
Despite many talented Native American athletes throughout history, Shiyazh Pete is the first documented Navajo tribal member to sign an NFL contract. This opens doors and creates visibility for future generations.