Nick Vigil

Nick Vigil's Biography

Nick Vigil, born on August 20, 1993, is known as an established American professional football player with an illustrious career in the National Football League (NFL), where he occupies the position of a linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys. Significantly notable for his exceptional skill and performance, Vigil embarked on this extraordinary journey from a young age with prolific years in college football at Utah State University before paving his way into the NFL.

Raised in Plain City, Utah, Vigil spent his formative years at Fremont High School, where he excelled not only at football but also was an ardent basketball player. His passion and commitment to football found a natural progression leading him to commit to Utah State University. In 2013, as a redshirt freshman, he started in four of fourteen games, compiling 57 tackles and leading his team with 5.5 sacks for the season. His performance escalated the subsequent year, with all thirteen games to his name and a remarkable tally of 123 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, along with 6 forced fumbles and 6 quarterback hurries.

Vigil’s Junior year, 2015, was marked by another impressive streak with all thirteen games to his credit, and an enormous 144 tackles, propelling him to the sixth position nationally. With such an illustrious record, he made it clear post his Junior year that he was ready to progress into the 2016 NFL draft.

Before the draft, Vigil attended the NFL Scouting Combine held in Indianapolis, excelling in various drills. He emerged first among all participating linebackers in the short shuttle and three-cone drill. He also placed tenth in the 40-yard dash. Concerns about a pectoral injury led him to skip the bench press. Subsequently, he further consolidated his position by clocking good times in the 40-yard dash, 20-yard dash, and 10-yard dash during Utah State’s pro day on April 6, 2016. He also garnered attention from the Atlanta Falcons for a private workout and held pre-draft visits with the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears.

Pre-draft projections placed Vigil as a promising fifth or sixth-round pick. However, he defied expectations when the Cincinnati Bengals selected him in the third round (87th overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft, making him the 11th linebacker drafted that year.

Following his draft, the Bengals signed Vigil on a four-year contract worth $3.11 million, which included a signing bonus of $695,629. His rookie season, 2016, ended on a high note with 21 combined tackles and one pass deflection in 16 games. In the subsequent years, he continued to demonstrate his aptitude and hard work, clinching the role of a starting linebacker against stiff competition.

Vigil’s journey in the NFL peaked with his current contract with the Dallas Cowboys signed on August 6, 2024, after experiencing stints with several notable teams, including the Los Angeles Chargers, the Arizona Cardinals, and the Minnesota Vikings.

Throughout his career, Vigil’s consistent performance and dedication to the sport have been a testament to his talent and discipline. With a lineage that boasts his older brother, Zach Vigil, also a former professional linebacker, Vigil’s career is a continuation of a family legacy of exceptional football performance.