With the 31st overall pick in the very first round of the 2025 NFL draft, the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles selected Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Jihaad Campbell, and he's already making an impression to his teammates, Saquon Barkley in particular.
Barkley, the Eagles running back and reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year, highlighted Campbell's aggressiveness after being laid out by the rookie during training camp, and, after seeing the linebacker's capabilities through nine days, gave him a very honorable comparison.
"I think it's gonna be a problem for a lot of guys in this league when you go against him and block him. He's kinda built like Micah (Parsons) a little bit," Barkley said to CBS Sports. "As he grows and learns the game a little bit more, he'll be put in different spots."
Micah Parsons, an edge rusher for the Dallas Cowboys and a fellow alumnus of Penn State, has been praised by coaches and players alike for his speed, strength, and overall game-changing style of play.
The aggressiveness of the new defender has been a big question throughout the team, but the Eagles' 2,000-yard back is all for it.
"I'd rather have him be more aggressive than not. It's fun to go against him every single day and he asks a lot of questions."
Even Campbell told CBS that he needed to work on being more cautious of his body control for the safety of his teammates.
"I think the big thing is I just have to keep being mindful of knowing how to practice," Campbell said. "I could definitely probably slow down and just have more body control, you know?"
Campbell, Barkley, and the Eagles will begin their Super Bowl defense against Parsons and the Cowboys on September 4.