The Philadelphia Eagles haven’t wasted any time getting first-round rookie linebacker Jihaad Campbell reps with the first-team defense.
Finally healthy, medically cleared, and back on the practice field, Campbell, chosen by the Eagles with the No. 31 overall pick in this spring’s NFL Draft, has already gotten first-team practice reps during the first three days of training camp.
“This is looking like it’s on track to be a [Zack] Baun-[Jihaad] Cambell combo,” PHLY’s Zach Berman notes. “September 4 vs. Dallas.”
Campbell had previously been limited during this spring’s OTA and minicamp practices by a torn labrum that required offseason surgery to repair, so it is encouraging to see the 21-year-old linebacker make such an instant impact during early training camp practices.
“I’m just blessed that I’m healthy right now,” Campbell told reporters after Saturday’s practice. “I’m really happy to be out here on the field and flying around with our defense.”
The Eagles chose the 6-foot-3 and 235-pound Campbell following a stellar final collegiate season at Alabama, where he produced a career-high 117 total tackles with five sacks, 12 tackles for loss, intercepted one pass, broke up two others and forced two fumbles.
If Campbell’s stellar collegiate tape translates to the NFL, pairing him alongside Baun could form one of the more formidable linebacker duos on the NFL, and become a bedrock for coordinator Vic Fangio’s defense, in 2025, and beyond.
Jihaad Campbell Already Impressing Eagles Teammates
Stacy Revere | Getty ImagesRookie linebacker Jihaad Campbell is already getting snaps with the Philadelphia Eagles first-team defense.
Just three practices into the summer, Campbell is already making a strong impression on his defensive teammates.
With Campbell moving to an inside linebacker role, edge rusher Nolan Smith has a front-row seat for how disruptive the rookie is already showing he has the chance to be.
“Man, he electrifying,” Smith said, via NBCSports Philadelphia. “He really remind me of myself if I played inside linebacker. He’s just electrifying and, man, he got a quick step, he got a job, he got good hands. Typical SEC inside linebackers, man. We blitz them guys and I watched him play and I was 100% happy when he came here.”
Likewise, Baun, whom Campbell will be lining up next two in the middle of Fangio’s defense, is already impressed.
“He’s a versatile guy,” Baun told reporters earlier this spring. “Who can do a lot of different things. The dude can move. He’s impressively, very smart on the board, as well. So, I’m really excited about him.”
NFL Executive’s Jihaad Campbell Scouting Report
Butch Dill | GettyPhiladelphia Eagles rookie linebacker Jihaad Campbell could be used as a pass rusher in 2025.
Campbell was widely viewed as one of the premier linebacker prospects in the 2025 draft class, and had it not been for his shoulder injury, there’s a legitimate chance he wouldn’t have fallen to the Eagles at the bottom of the first round.
One top NFL executive was bullish on Campbell’s upside, even before the Eagles called his name.
“Your prototypical three-down linebacker,” an AFC Scouting Director told me of Campbell, prior to the draft. “Flash player at Alabama. At times, can make a play using his speed, quickness, and shows playmaking ability. You have to be careful, at times he won’t take on blocks, runs around them which creates holes in the running game. He can grow into a better player, but needs to develop, a bit.”
Playing alongside Baun, and behind the Eagles’ dominant defensive line in Fangio’s scheme could be all it takes for Campbell to improve as a run-stuffer, and give him the chance to make an instant impact, as a rookie.
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