Zion Childress inks UDFA deal with Dallas Cowboys

Kentucky defensive back Zion Childress - Mont Dawson, Kentucky Sports Radio

Only two Kentucky players heard their name called during the 257-pick marathon at the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay. One former Wildcat did not have to wait long to get locked up by an NFL franchise once the draft ended. Zion Childress is headed to the NFC East.

The Dallas Cowboys have added the Kentucky safety to its roster.

Kentucky defensive back Zion Childress is signing with the #Cowboys as a UDFA, per source.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) April 26, 2025

The former Texas State transfer spent three years (2022-24) at Kentucky and played multiple safety spots plus nickel cornerback for defensive coordinator Brad White and co-defensive coordinator Chris Collins. Tackling efficiency (21.5% career missed tackle rate) is a concern, but this is a versatile defensive back with positional flexibility. Zion Childress finished his collegiate career with 283 tackles, 18 pass breakups, 12 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, and one interception in 62 games over five seasons.

Childress will be returning to his home state. The Greater Houston native was a member of the 2020 high school signing class at Texas State who spent two seasons in the Sun Belt before entering the transfer portal and moving up to the SEC.

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Dallas had a need to fill on the roster at safety after not addressing the position despite having nine picks in the draft. The Cowboys have four safeties on the roster, but the quick addition of Childress could indicate that Jerry Jones and his organization have a plan to keep the Kentucky defensive back on the team throughout 2025.

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