Former El Dorado standout M.J. McFarland signs with Dallas Cowboys

Former El Dorado star M.J. McFarland impressed the Dallas Cowboys enough at a recent mini-camp tryout to receive a deal from the team.

The Cowboys now have 88 players under contract after the addition of McFarland and linebacker Darnell Leslie.

Both are still considered long shots to make the final roster of 53.

McFarland received similar interest from the Jets and Eagles last season.

He graduated from El Dorado as the school’s all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns.

He chose to play for the Texas Longhorns after high school. Upon earning his degree in three years, he then transferred to UTEP, but was ruled ineligible in the summer of 2015 after failing a drug test.

McFarland claimed he failed the test due to “a simple mistake.” He appealed the NCAA’s ruling, but his appeal was eventually denied.