Leighton Vander Esch, famously known as the "Wolf Hunter," enjoyed a standout career as a linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys. A first-round draft pick in 2018, Leighton made an immediate impact on the league, earning Pro Bowl and Second-team All-Pro honors during a historic rookie season. Throughout his six years in the NFL, he was recognized as one of the most instinctive and physical defenders in the game, serving as a central leader for the Cowboys' defense.

His journey to the pros is widely regarded as one of football's great underdog stories, rising from a small-town, eight-man football player in Riggins, Idaho, to a walk-on star at Boise State. Although recurring neck injuries led to his retirement in 2024, his toughness and high-energy play style made him a perennial fan favorite in Dallas. Today, Leighton focuses on his family and his Idaho roots, residing with his wife, Madalynn, and their daughter.