Another Eagles rookie is outshining first-rounder Jalen Carter

While much of the attention has been on Philadelphia Eagles first-round pick Jalen Carter during training camp, a former Georgia teammate is stealing the spotlight. 

Fellow first-rounder, edge rusher Nolan Smith, has emerged as a potential difference-maker for the Eagles in year one. Smith has shown versatility in camp while earning high praise from respected names. 

Smith has seemingly found a way to stand out in every practice during camp. Even while being humbled by All-Pro tackle Lane Johnson, Smith showed a "nonstop motor," refusing to stop until the whistle. Meanwhile, the Eagles have already shown they trust Smith in various roles, having him line up as an edge-rusher and off-the-ball linebacker. 

In his final year at Georgia, Smith suffered a torn pectoral muscle, ending his season prematurely. With that memory fresh in his mind, Smith seems as motivated as ever, telling reporters recently that he couldn't wait to take the field for the Eagles' preseason opener Saturday against the Baltimore Ravens, adding, "You'll have to kill me to stop me." 

"It doesn't matter, preseason, practice, I'm giving it my all because I remember that feeling in my heart when I couldn't play another snap," Smith said via Eliot Shorr-Parks. "Most people think it's a game, but, man, if you really live that s--- day in and day out, and you walk off that field and knowing, 'Man, I don't know if that's going to be my last snap,' Well, you'll go hard, harder than you've ever been." 

Offensive lineman Jordan Mailata dubbed Smith a "mini Haason Reddick," comparing him to the Eagles' star pass-rusher who finished with a career-best 16 sacks in 2022. At Georgia, Smith showed the skillset to live up to the nickname, tallying 110 tackles (20 for loss) and 12.5 sacks in 38 games. And so far at camp, he's shown that his abilities should transfer seamlessly to the pro level. 

Many believe the Eagles got the steal of the 2023 NFL Draft, selecting Carter ninth overall. However, with Smith, the Eagles may have created even more thievery. Only time will tell.