The newest Eagles’ linebacker Jihaad Campbell out of Alabama grew up just 20 minutes from Lincoln Financial Field in Erial, New Jersey. On Thursday night, he saw his football journey come full circle after embracing NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on the stage in Green Bay becoming the newest member of the defending Super Bowl Champions.
Players who typically attend the draft in person expect to hear their name called in the first 32 picks. For Campbell, his wait was longer than expected. Then he saw a familiar 215-area code pop up on his phone. The talented linebacker was intrigued.
“Once I seen it, I said this is pretty interesting,” Campbell smiled during his zoom call to the media. “He [Howie Roseman] asked if I knew who this is, and I was like nah! That’s when he was like, it’s Howie Roseman. I was about to breakdown. It was such a surreal moment for me and my family.”
A moment that has been manifesting since Campbell’s childhood growing up idolizing the likes of LeSean McCoy, DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin and others.
“I mean my grandfather, I’m talking way back in the Randall Cunningham days, he always watched the Eagles. He always loved the Eagles. My pops, my mom, my two brothers, my whole family. It definitely was a special moment.”
Campbell’s journey commenced playing three years at Timber Creek Regional High School. His senior year, he made the decision to leave South Jersey, his friends and teammates to move down to Bradenton, Florida to play at the prestigious IMG Academy, one of the top high schools nationally when it comes to football.
With a laundry list of alumni making the NFL with most recent names including JC Latham, J.J. McCarthy, K.J. Osborn, and new Eagles’ teammates Eli Ricks and Nolan Smith, Campbell said the decision to make the move to pursue his dream was not as challenging as some would think.
“It wasn’t a hard decision. Understanding the task and what I wanted to do. Going to IMG and then Alabama and now basically going to another Alabama. Everything is going to plan. I’m really excited to be an Eagle. I can’t wait to get to work and just win,” Campbell said.
That decision helped him become a five-star recruit drawing interest from blue-chip programs including Clemson where he originally committed before flipping to Alabama. He becomes the eighth former Crimson Tide now on the Eagles’ roster.
After showing his explosive and physical skills playing in the best conference in college football, Campbell became a highly regarded prospect. Brian Baldinger raved about Campbell’s ability.
However, not many expected him to be available at the penultimate pick of the opening round. Many experts and outlets pegged the versatile linebacker to be a mid-round pick on night one. ESPN’s Mina Kimes said that if the talented 21-year-old slid down the draft board, whatever team scooped him up would be getting a steal. The Eagles were the team although they certainly were not anticipating being so at the start of the draft.
An organization that puts a lot of weight into pre-draft meetings with incoming prospects, did not have a meeting with Campbell due to the fact they did not think they could be in play for the talented game wrecker. In fact, the linebacker only had one interaction with the team prior to being selected and it was with Jeremiah Washburn, the defensive ends/outside linebackers coach.
Campbell is working his way back from a labrum injury which required surgery back in March which could have played a role in why he fell down the board. However, the young linebacker views his later than expected draft position part of a bigger plan.
“It was God’s plan and I’m just walking with his guidance,’ Campbell stated. “Me patiently waiting was just God’s work. He’s the best at plans always. Just taking it day by day with the shoulder process. Just trying to maximize everything every day to heal up and be ready.”
Few teams do more homework on potential prospects than the Eagles. According to Ian Rappaport, the Eagles were trying to trade up even higher to the Chargers pick at 22 to snag Campbell. They had to anxiously wait as teams made their picks leading up to the 31st. Roseman struck the deal with Kansas City swapping the 32nd pick and 164th pick in round five with the Chiefs to ensure they got a player they said was on their radar the whole time, indicating the staff is not overly concerned about the injury.
Roseman told the media after the pick that Campbell was a “top 10” player on their board and it was an “easy pick”.
Campbell excitedly portrayed his eagerness to be ready for the Eagles when they get the season started during his post draft interview. The explosive playmaking ability he showed with the Crimson Tide and his impressive RAS score made him the top linebacker of this year’s class.
When asked where he thinks he could line up for a defensive unit that was the best across the NFL a season ago, Campbell answered in a manner that could be quite suitable within a Vic Fangio defense.
“I think just being a dominant force for the defense. Just put me wherever and finding different schemes to play in making an impact.”
Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
