Marshawn Kneeland Bio
Marshawn Kneeland (July 8, 2001 – November 6, 2025) was an American professional football defensive end who spent two seasons with the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). Drafted in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft, he played college football for the Western Michigan Broncos, where he earned second-team All-Mid-American Conference honors in 2023. Listed at 6 feet 3 inches and 268 pounds, Kneeland was known for his size, motor, and ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks. He died in Frisco, Texas, at the age of 24, during his second NFL season.
Early Life and Background
Marshawn Kneeland was born on July 8, 2001, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he grew up before attending Godwin Heights High School in nearby Wyoming, Michigan. At Godwin Heights, he played both linebacker and tight end, showcasing the versatility that would later define his defensive career. As a senior, he recorded 110 tackles and eight sacks on defense while also contributing 20 receptions for 330 yards and five touchdowns on offense, demonstrating rare two-way ability for a high school player.
Although he was not heavily recruited out of high school, Kneeland committed to Western Michigan University to continue his football career. His combination of size, athleticism, and production drew attention even before he arrived on campus, setting the stage for his development into a professional prospect. He later resided in Plano, Texas, while playing for the Cowboys.
Path to American Football
Kneeland’s path to professional football began at Western Michigan University, where he played for the Broncos from 2019 through 2023. Over the course of his five college seasons, he developed from an under-recruited high school player into a reliable edge defender. His career totals at Western Michigan included 149 tackles and 12.5 sacks, along with three pass deflections and three forced fumbles, numbers that reflected his growth as a disruptive defensive end.
His senior season proved to be his most productive, earning him second-team All-MAC recognition in 2023. That honor, combined with his overall body of work, helped him earn an invitation to the NFL Scouting Combine, where he showcased the size and athleticism that had defined his college career. Despite his late rise as a prospect, Kneeland’s performance at the Combine and during his senior year positioned him as a desirable NFL talent heading into the 2024 draft.
Marshawn Kneeland Career
Early Career (2019–2023)
Marshawn Kneeland’s early football career was spent developing at Western Michigan University, where he steadily improved from 2019 to 2023. He redshirted his first year before working his way into a larger role along the Broncos’ defensive front. Over time, he became a consistent presence on the edge, contributing both against the run and as a pass rusher.
By the end of his college career, Kneeland had established himself as one of the more productive edge defenders in the Mid-American Conference. His 12.5 career sacks and three forced fumbles demonstrated his ability to impact games in multiple ways. His second-team All-MAC selection in 2023 served as the capstone of his college development and helped pave the way for his transition to the professional level.
NFL Breakthrough (2024 Season)
Marshawn Kneeland was selected 56th overall in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft by the Dallas Cowboys, a significant moment for a player who had entered college as a lightly recruited prospect. He made his NFL debut on September 8, 2024, against the Cleveland Browns, beginning his rookie campaign with the Cowboys. Over the course of the season, he appeared in 11 games and made one start, recording 17 tackles, two tackles for loss, 13 quarterback pressures, one pass breakup, and one fumble recovery.
His first career start came on October 6, 2024, against the Pittsburgh Steelers, a game in which he collected two tackles before leaving with a right knee injury sustained while attempting to sack quarterback Justin Fields. The injury required arthroscopic surgery and forced him to miss five weeks on injured reserve, cutting short what had been a promising rookie debut. Despite the setback, his first season established him as a rotational piece in the Cowboys’ defensive front.
Dallas Cowboys Era (2025 Season)
Entering the 2025 season, Kneeland was positioned for a larger role with the Cowboys following the departure of veteran DeMarcus Lawrence in free agency. He was viewed as a primary rotational player behind Dante Fowler, and during training camp he was considered a possible breakout candidate, highlighted by a clip of him intercepting quarterback Dak Prescott that circulated on social media.
In early October, Kneeland was added to the injury report with an ankle injury suffered during practice, an issue he later aggravated in a Week 6 game against the Carolina Panthers. Three days before his death, he scored his only NFL touchdown by recovering a blocked punt in the end zone against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 9. He appeared in seven games during the 2025 season, posting 12 tackles, one sack, and three quarterback pressures.
Driving Style and Strengths
Kneeland was regarded as a physical and energetic edge defender whose size and motor allowed him to hold up against the run while also generating pressure on the quarterback. His college production of 12.5 sacks and three forced fumbles highlighted a disruptive style, while his senior totals of 110 tackles in high school showed a willingness to contribute in every phase of the defense. He was developing into a reliable rotational piece whose effort and toughness earned him respect within the Cowboys’ locker room.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the most memorable moments of Kneeland’s professional career was his second-round selection in the 2024 NFL draft and his Week 9 touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals in 2025, when he recovered a blocked punt in the end zone for his only NFL score. He also earned second-team All-MAC honors in 2023, the highest individual accolade of his football career, and recorded his first career sack during the 2025 season.
Marshawn Kneeland Career Wins
Marshawn Kneeland’s career wins and notable performances were concentrated in his two NFL seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, where he appeared in 18 total games and recorded 29 tackles, one sack, one fumble recovery, one pass deflection, and one touchdown. His most celebrated individual achievement was his second-team All-MAC selection in 2023 with the Western Michigan Broncos, capping a college career that saw him total 149 tackles and 12.5 sacks. While he did not accumulate a large number of traditional win totals, his impact plays, including a touchdown off a blocked punt, defined his brief professional career.
NFL Highlights
During his two seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, Kneeland appeared in 18 games, with one start in 2024 and seven appearances in 2025. His first NFL start came against the Pittsburgh Steelers on October 6, 2024, and his only career touchdown came in Week 9 of the 2025 season against the Arizona Cardinals. He finished his career with one sack, one fumble recovery, and a reputation as a hardworking rotational defensive end.
Marshawn Kneeland Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Marshawn Kneeland’s mother died unexpectedly in February 2024 of an undisclosed illness, just two months before he was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys. Following her death, he carried her ashes with him in a necklace at all times, a deeply personal tribute that reflected the close bond they shared. Tennessee Titans defensive back Mike Brown is a cousin of Kneeland, extending the family’s presence in the NFL.
Personal Life
Kneeland lived in Plano, Texas, during his time with the Cowboys. He was in a relationship with Catalina Mancera, and it was later revealed that she was pregnant with their only child. On June 11, 2026, Mancera gave birth to their son, an announcement she shared publicly on Instagram in the weeks following his death.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented Marshawn Kneeland’s second and final year in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys, a campaign in which he was expected to take on a larger role following the departure of DeMarcus Lawrence. He appeared in seven games, missing two with an ankle injury, and recorded 12 tackles, one sack, and three quarterback pressures. His most memorable moment came in Week 9 against the Arizona Cardinals, when he recovered a blocked punt in the end zone for his only NFL touchdown, a play that came just three days before his death on November 6, 2025.
Throughout the season, Kneeland had been viewed within the organization as a possible breakout player, particularly during a training camp in which he was highlighted intercepting quarterback Dak Prescott. Although injuries and off-field challenges limited his availability, his energy and production in the games he played suggested a promising trajectory. His death was met with an outpouring of grief from the Cowboys organization, which described him as a beloved teammate, and the broader NFL community.
