Eagles rookie Andrew Mukuba doesn't hold back comparing himself to one of the NFL's best safeties

Confidence is essential to succeed in the NFL, and Philadelphia Eagles rookie safety Andrew Mukuba clearly isn't lacking any.

While speaking with Eagles reporter Dave Spadaro in an interview, the Eagles' 2025 second-round pick didn't hold back from comparing himself to one of the league's best defensive backs. 

"There are guys like Budda Baker (Cardinals) and Brian Branch (Lions) who are similar in size to me, and they have been guys I've kind of patterned myself after," Mukuba told Spadaro when asked what fans should expect to see from him.

"I'm going to be aggressive and smart and play with everything I have. All my heart. I have a lot of energy and always have had energy, and so for me to go out on the field and have fun, it's kind of like being in the park with your friends playing ball and being physical and helping my team win. That's all that matters – helping the Eagles win. I want to do my part, perfect my role, and enjoy everything about being a Philadelphia Eagle."

This isn't the first time Baker and Mukuba have been compared. Except the last time-it was by his former Texas Longhorns coach, Blake Gideon. 

"He plays a lot like Budda, like he throws his s— around,” Gideon said. “He’s a coach’s dream in that respect."

Despite being slightly undersized for the position, Mukuba, similar to Baker, doesn't let that keep him from making the big plays and excels in multiple roles across the secondary. But when you put your name in the same sentence as a seven-time Pro Bowler like Mukuba did, you're putting a lot of pressure on yourself. Although it's hard not to respect that kind of confidence, especially coming from a rookie. 

Mukuba heads to Philly following a standout final season at Texas in 2024, where he racked up 69 tackles, 12 pass breakups, five interceptions, and a forced fumble for the Longhorns.

Let's hope that kind of production translates to the next level.