You will be hard-pressed to find a more inspiring story than that of Dallas Cowboys undrafted rookie free agent Tyler Neville.

Having been born deaf, needing a metal bar to be implanted to stop a deformity in his rib case that was putting pressure on his heart and lungs, and being diagnosed with Stage II Hodgins Lymphoma and having nearly 20 surgeries per dallascowboys.com, it’s been quite the ride for Tyler.

The 6-4, 234-pound tight end, who played one year for Virginia in 2024 and totaled 394 yards and two touchdowns from 34 receptions, is now embarking on his NFL journey, and Tyler has revealed why he chose Brian Schottenheimer’s team when the call came through.

“So when I was agreeing on this deal I was told it’s going to be a culture program and I’m kind of a sucker for that,” Neville said. “When I was at Harvard, at UVA, that’s exactly why I went to both those places. Great culture, great programs I knew the head guys wanted to build that camaraderie within the locker room and Coach [Lunda] Wells, he explained it was the exact same thing here. 

“When I got on the phone with coach Schotty before I signed it was the same thing here. That speaks volumes, and that’s the reason why I’m here, guys like him and guys like the guys on this coaching staff.”

Schottenheimer is building a different culture at The Star, and it is clear that this attracted Neville to it, and he becomes the latest tight end in Lunda Wells’ room.

Relationships and chemistry are big keys for Schottenheimer, as are players’ character, and in Neville, Dallas is getting a guy who fits all of those and is ready to get down to work.

Tyler’s journey to the NFL has been long and tough, but now that he’s here, he’s ready to do whatever it takes to achieve his goals.

With Schottenheimer’s culture being a big factor in the tight end choosing to come to The Star to begin what he hopes, will be a long NFL career.