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Mac McWilliams brings toughness and tenacity in spades to Eagles

Originally posted on Inside the Iggles | By Alex Wiser | Last updated Jul 14, 2025 5:00 PM ET

Mac McWilliams doesn’t need the hype or the headlines cast upon countless other prospects. He needs a shot to shine at the next level.

Tabbed by Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman with a fifth-round selection in this past draft, he has his shot - and he’s arrived laser-focused to maximize the opportunity at hand.

“Everyone is here (The NFL) for a reason. I know I have to bring it every day, every minute of every day. I want to raise my game every day,” the former UCF standout told PhiladelphiaEagles.com's Dave Spadaro.

McWilliams' background and where he fits into the Eagles' defense

With the addition of McWilliams, the Eagles have added a fourth recent draft pick to the secondary in the past two drafts, as Philly struck gold with the duo of Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean a year ago, before adding second-round Texas safety Andrew Mukuba and McWilliams in the fifth round this past draft.

Lauded for his aggressive demeanor, scouts and draft day pundits pointed to his size and length as potential drawbacks for the tenacious McWilliams, listed at 5-foot-10 and 202 pounds. At the same time, he hounds wideouts in both close quarters as well as the intermediate level, reacting to pounce swiftly while punishing opponents with authority. Simply put, he won't back down.

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After kicking off his college career at Alabama, the cornerback transferred to The University of Central Florida, where he flourished in 2024 and enjoyed big game showdowns with the likes of Travis Hunter and Tetairoa McMillan.

A late bloomer with a penchant for lowering the boom, the light seemed to truly come on just last season - hence another plausible reason why he slid to the fifth round - coupled with his slightly shorter build and limited length compared to the longer gazelles that shine out wide on Sundays.

An interesting caveat to his arrival could be his ability to play inside – yes, where DeJean dominated last season. We know Fangio loves DeJean right where he is, but DeJean’s rare versatility could swing the door open on playing time and snaps at that nickel should Fangio dial up new looks there. And a player like McWilliams, who loves to mix it up and can potentially thrive in tight quarters, could be a solid fit if that nickel spot does indeed open up.

Of course, assorted dimes look afford even more opportunity on game days. Point being, if his work ethic and ability to pick up the playbook pay off, McWilliams could very well be in the mix for meaningful action this coming season, and well beyond.

Either way, just like his rookie classmate and new teammate Mukuba, McWilliams exhibits toughness and tenacity in spades. He never shies away from contact, and his blue-collar approach should likely endear him to the Philly faithful.

This article first appeared on Inside the Iggles and was syndicated with permission.

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