Stacy Revere | Getty
Philadelphia Eagles first-round linebacker Jihaad Campbell says he hopes his versatility can be an asset as a rookie.
The Philadelphia Eagles have yet to see Jihaad Campbell on a practice field for much more than individual drills, but have big plans for their prized first round pick, and former University of Alabama standout.
Campbell, 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds, was chosen by the Eagles with the No. 31 overall pick in April’s draft, and is working his way back from surgery to repair a torn labrum that he suffered in the Crimson Tide’s Reliaquest Bowl loss to Michigan.
Despite being limited to a few reps towards the end of minicamp, Campbell is eager to flash his versatility to defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and the Eagles’ coaching staff, when training camp gets underway in late July.
“(The role) is for the coaches to decide, not me,” Campbell told the team’s official website. “I’m going to give it my all no matter how they decide to use me on the field. I feel like I’m a versatile player, and I know I’m going to learn every day from the guys on this defense.
“It is going to be hard work. I know that. I want to be the best player I can be, help the defense, help the Eagles win games. That’s the role I want to have. As far as a position, nah. Let’s just play football.”
Campbell finished his collegiate career with 184 total tackles, 5.5 sacks, 16 tackles for loss and three fumble recoveries.
The Eagles boast one of the more dominant and swarming front sevens in the NFL, and despite his prolific college production, Campbell says his aim is to be a key contributor to helping add a third Lombardi Trophy to Philadelphia’s trophy case.
“A winner,” Campbell said, when asked what kind of player he hopes to be. “A winner who does everything I can to help this football team. I want to be a relentless, exciting player who is physical and who is going to be there for the team. I love playing the game of football and it’s been a dream of mine to play at this level. And to be here is just perfect for me.
“I know I have a lot of work I need to do and I am far from the player I want to be, but I’m in the place that is going to help me reach my potential. I want to change games, win games, and feel what it’s like as a player in Philadelphia. I’ve been a fan, so I know what it feels like on that side. I want to know how it feels on this side.”
Eagles’ Vic Fangio Sees Jihaad Campbell as Dual-Threat
Butch Dill | GettyPhiladelphia Eagles rookie linebacker Jihaad Campbell could be used as a pass rusher in 2025.
Campbell’s natural position is at linebacker, but it wouldn’t be surprising if Fangio winds up moving the 21-year-old around, deployed as a heat-seeking missile into opposing backfields.
After all, the Eagles are looking to replace some of the lost pass rush production from Brandon Graham’s retirement, along with Milton Williams‘ and Josh Sweat‘s free agent departures.
Ahead of the draft, Pro Football Focus listed Campbell in the 98th percentile in the outlet’s game-athleticism metric, while crediting him with a strong 81.6 overall grade and 76.3 pass-rush mark.
“Right now he’s working at ILB because there’s a lot more to learn there,” Fangio told reporters, of Campbell, earlier this spring. “So that’s where we’ll start him. He won’t hit the practice field until sometime in August. So, we’re doing all we can. He’s doing all he can in meetings, we’re doing all we can with him on the field.
“I take him to the side and do an individual drill with him that’s suited to what he can do right now. So, he’s working good and trying to pick it up.”
As for turning Campbell loose as a pass rusher, Fangio needed just four words on what it would take for him to thrive in that role.
“Getting him out there,” Fangio said.
Jihaad Campbell Joining Elite Linebacking Corps
GettyThe Philadelphia Eagles, led by Zack Baun enter the 2025 season as one of the NFL’s premier linebacking corps.
When Campbell is healthy enough to get onto the field, he’ll be stepping into arguably the premier linebacking corps in the sport.
As the 2025 season nears, Pro Football Focus lists the Eagles as the No. 1 linebacking unit in the NFL.
“Philadelphia holds the top spot in these rankings,” Dalton Wasserman writes for PFF. “With a stacked linebacker unit that only got better this offseason. They handed Zack Baun a well-deserved contract extension after he finished 2024 with a league-leading 90.2 PFF overall grade. Nakobe Dean wasn’t far behind, placing 11th among qualified linebackers (77.4).
“The team drafted insurance for Dean’s postseason injury in Alabama’s Jihaad Campbell, who was the 2025 class’ best linebacker. Youngsters Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and Smael Mondon Jr. also provide quality depth.”
One of the reasons the Eagles have risen up the ranks at linebacker, and why the franchise is so eager to get Campbell into the mix is Zack Baun‘s dominant first season in Philadelphia.
Baun became an All-Pro for the first time in his career, after posting a career-high 151 total tackles with 3.5 sacks, and one interception. Beyond his elite production, Baun made several timely plays in clutch moments of big games for the Eagles, including a first-half interception of Patrick Mahomes in Super Bowl LIX that helped trigger Philadelphia’s onslaught.
Pairing Campbell’s versatility and athleticism alongside Baun has the potential of creating one of the most dominant off-ball linebacker duos in the NFL.
Matt Lombardo covers the NFL for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants. Founder, NFL Insider for Between The Hashmarks and host of the Between The Hashmarks Podcast. A seasoned NFL reporter with over a decade of experience, he previously served as FanSided’s national NFL insider and host of “The Matt Lombardo Show” podcast. Past stops also include NJ.com and radio for 97.5 The Fanatic and 97.3 ESPN FM. More about Matt Lombardo
