Eagles rookie Jihaad Campbell is set to make his NFL debut when Philadelphia faces the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday night. The team traded up one spot to select Campbell with the 31st overall pick in this year’s draft. After recovering from a shoulder injury that affected him during the draft process, Campbell completed a full training camp with the Eagles.
“It’s definitely a blessing, just to be here and be around the guys and continue to learn, continue to grow, and be the best version of myself that I can be every day,” Campbell said on Sunday.
Campbell grew up in New Jersey as an Eagles fan and recalls watching past games between Philadelphia and Dallas. Despite his personal connection to the rivalry, he is focused on preparing for his first game. “Just keeping the main thing the main thing,” Campbell said. “Of course, I grew up as a fan, but you know more so just locking in and having a lot of focus going towards this week.”
Veteran edge rusher Ogbo Okoronkwo also spoke about preparing for Thursday’s opener. Okoronkwo joined Philadelphia after previous stints with the Rams, Texans, and Browns since entering the league in 2019. He emphasized his approach during training camp as he competed for a roster spot.
“Just come to work every day and do the best you can,” Okoronkwo said. “Let the result be the result. I didn’t look far ahead and I didn’t look back. I just came to work every day and tried to get better. This defense allows me to drop (into pass coverage), it allows me to rush (the quarterback), it allows me to play the run physically, so that’s what I do.”
Okoronkwo has played in 80 NFL games with 13 starts over his career, recording 17 sacks including three last season with Cleveland.
He joins Nolan Smith Jr., Jalyx Hunt, Azeez Ojulari, and Joshua Uche among Philadelphia’s edge defenders after signing shortly before training camp began.
“I stayed and took extra reps and put the work in to learn the defense. Playing this position is not an individual thing. You have to work with everyone and develop that timing and chemistry,” he said. “It’s gone well and I’m here to contribute any way I can – special teams, anything. I’ve done all of that before.”
Defensive tackle Byron Young also made Philadelphia’s 53-man roster after being claimed off waivers from Las Vegas last year following limited playing time as a rookie with four tackles over six games for the Raiders.
Young spent much of last season inactive or injured but used this offseason to improve physically under guidance from coaches such as Clint Hurtt (senior defensive assistant/defensive line) along with player development staff.
“I feel like it does make a big difference, having coaches that believe in you and showing they believe in you – and I’m not saying that the people in Vegas didn’t believe in me, because there are great people over there, it just didn’t work out,” Young said. “I’ve felt it here and I’ve been able to grow and improve day after day and really gain confidence. Our technique here is a little bit different, too. I’m not two-gapping – defensive tackles here can be more aggressive and make plays instead of eating up blockers and that plays to my strengths as well.
“It’s just all come together for me and I have so many people to thank. Coach (Clint) Hurtt (senior defensive assistant/defensive line) has worked with me and helped me grow in so many ways. Pat McDowell (player development assistant/scout) has worked with me along with our performance staff making me stronger in my core. All sorts of things. My job is to keep working and making myself better and contributing to this team and this great defensive tackle room.”
The Eagles will open their regular season at home against Dallas on Thursday night.
