Dallas Cowboys sign Wingate All-American Kenwin Cummings

Dallas, Texas----The Dallas Cowboys signed former Wingate University defensive end Kenwin Cummings (Maxton, N.C.) to the active 53-man roster last week. Cummings was previously a member of the New York Jets practice squad.
          
Cummings leaves the play-off hopeful 9-4 Jets and joins the Cowboys, who are 4-9 after a 30-27 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday night. Cummings was signed to add depth to the banged-up Dallas linebacker group. He did not play in his first game as a Cowboy, but is expected to make an appearance this week on defense or special teams as Dallas hosts the Washington Redskins.
          
The Cowboys run the same 3-4 defensive scheme as the Jets, which will help Cummings adapt. “It’s different for sure to leave that team (Jets),” Cummings says. “This is a chance for me to play. I’m excited about it.”

Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett believes Cummings’ size and his familiarity with the defense should help his progression. “He’s a big guy and he has a physical make-up you look for in a football player,” Garrett says. “He fits into what we’re doing. There are going to be some differences in what we’re doing. He’s certainly comfortable playing the spots that we’re going to ask him to play.”
          
A linebacker for the Jets since 2008, Cummings was signed to the active roster from the practice squad on Nov. 16, 2009. Cummings and his Jets teammates made it all the way to the AFC Championship game, compiling an 11-8 overall record.
          
Cummings is one of three former Bulldogs who are active in professional football. The others are defensive back David Jones (Jacksonville Jaguars, NFL) and defensive end John Bowman (Montreal Alouettes, CFL). Defensive back Donald Brown (Winnipeg Blue Bombers, CFL) has also seen 2010 professional action.
          
A 6-3, 250-pound graduate of Purnell Swett High School, Cummings was named to the Don Hansen’s Football Gazette NCAA Division II All-America second team in 2007. A two-time Hansen’s All-America pick, Cummings was named to Don Hansen’s Football Gazette NCAA Division II All-America first team in 2005. Cummings was a Don Hansen’s Football Gazette second team All-Southeast Region choice in 2007 after earning first team honors in 2005 and 2006. The South Atlantic Conference football coaches voted Cummings a first team All-SAC performer three seasons in a row.
          
(Wingate University Director of Broadcasting and sports information assistant Ryan Brown compiled this article. Brown is a 2006 Wingate graduate with a B.A. degree in Communication Studies. The Wingate University sports information department gives thanks to www.dallascowboys.com for information used in this article.)