The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Whaley signs with Dallas Cowboys
05.10.2014 | Football
Former defensive lineman had his senior season cut short by injury
Longhorns 2014 NFL Index | Video: Whaley highlights
Chris Whaley was signed as a free agent by the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday after the conclusion of the 2014 NFL Draft.
Whaley played in 47 career games at Texas, the first 12 at running back and the final 35 at defensive tackle where he flourished as a two-year starter.
The native of Madisonville, Texas, who spent five years with the Longhorns, was a 2013 honorable mention All-Big 12 choice despite missing the final four games due to a knee injury suffered vs. West Virginia (Nov. 9). He tallied 25 tackles, including five for a loss, and two fumble recoveries last season.
Whaley, who started 19 career games, was one of four team captains as a senior and was invited to the 2014 NFL Combine, though he was unable to compete in drills due to his knee injury.
He had a pair of defensive touchdowns in 2013, including a 31-yard interception return for a score that helped key a 36-20 win over Oklahoma in the annual Red River Rivalry. Whaley also scored on a 40-yard fumble return vs. Kansas.
Whaley is first defensive tackle in school history to have two defensive touchdowns in the same season. He is the second player in school history to score on a pick and fumble in the same season (Brandon Foster had two interception returns for TDs and one fumble return in 2007).
Whaley will be joined on the Cowboys roster by another former Texas running back turned defensive tackle. Henry Melton spent the first four seasons of his NFL career with the Chicago Bears before signing with Dallas in the offseason.
