Philadelphia Eagles rookie already proving he's ready for a starting role but he still faces uphill battle

Philadelphia Eagles' 2025 first-round pick out of Alabama, Jihaad Campbell, has been having an outstanding training camp and preseason.

Most recently, the Eagles' rookie logged four tackles and a sack on quarterback Dillion Gabriel in the team's 22-13 preseason loss to the Cleveland Browns last weekend.

"It was one of those, 'They call your number, so you gotta make the play,'" Campbell said of his sack.

Campbell began the offseason limited during OTAs due to a shoulder injury, so seeing him at full speed on Day 1 of Eagles training camp was unexpected. Since then, he hasn’t missed a beat.

"I think that just comes with understanding the scheme," Campbell said. "Understanding where's your help is, understanding your assignment, and [how] to execute it. I'm just taking that detail by detail every day, and the game is slowing down for me."

Overall, the transition from college to the NFL has been a breeze for Campbell, and he's already proven he has starter potential. The only problem is that Nakobe Dean will be returning from his knee injury, and it looks like Campbell hasn't clearly beaten out second-year linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr.

While starting for the Eagles is the goal, for now, Campbell is focused solely on getting better.

"It's a day-by-day process," Campbell said. "Just being that versatile piece on the edge, off the edge, playing off ball...I mean, I just really appreciate Coach Vic and all the other defensive coaches just to grant me the opportunity to learn and grow...just keep understanding the whole defensive scheme and really the whole defensive playbook."

Campbell will have one more preseason game to add to his offseason resume when the Eagles face the New York Jets on Friday night.