Philadelphia, PA – July 30, 2025
Most rookies arrive at camp hoping to survive. A few want to compete. But once in a while, one steps onto the field and makes it clear — he’s not here to learn slowly. He’s here to change the plan.
By the fifth day of Eagles training camp, defensive meetings had started shifting. Coaches weren’t talking about veterans. They were debating where to put the rookie. Slot? WILL? Dime backer? Because every time the offense lined up, No. 32 was already moving — before the snap, before the read, before anyone else reacted.
He wasn’t shouting. He didn’t need to. Jihaad Campbell just kept showing up in the right place — smothering flats, jamming tight ends, shooting gaps like he belonged. And now the Eagles coaching staff is scrambling to answer the question no one expected this early: Where can’t he play?
Campbell, drafted in the third round out of Alabama, came in with athleticism to spare. But what’s stunned coaches is his versatility. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio didn’t hold back: “It’s rare you get a rookie who can play WILL, MIKE, and STAR. But he’s that guy.”
He’s drawing reps in sub-packages, taking special teams drills seriously, and learning every call from three different positions. And while most rookies are still adjusting to the NFL play speed, Campbell is forcing the staff to reimagine how they use their defensive fronts.
The buzz in the building isn’t just about traits — it’s about fit. “This kid doesn’t just run. He diagnoses,” said one assistant coach. “He’s like a linebacker with safety vision.”
For a team searching for a post-Fletcher-Cox identity, Campbell’s emergence is symbolic: younger, faster, smarter. A new foundation piece. Not just someone who fills gaps — but someone who bends schemes.
“He’s flying around,” a veteran said after practice. “You can’t miss No. 32. He’s loud without saying a word.”
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