7 most intriguing rookies to watch during Philadelphia Eagles training camp

USA Today

21-07-2025

With Philadelphia set for its first practice of the preseason, we're looking at seven intriguing rookies to watch during Eagles' training camp.
The Eagles have star power at just about every position, and unlike past years, it'll be hard for an undrafted rookie to crack the starting lineup, let alone make the 53-man roster. Philadelphia added ten draft picks to their roster in this year's NFL draft, landing Jihaad Campbell near the end of Round 1 to cap things off. Overall, the consensus for Howie Roseman centered on draft value and landing prospects who can develop into starters regardless of the round in which they were selected.
Philadelphia has one of the NFL's most explosive offensive units, but saw eight players depart on defense. Roseman used the Eagles' first five picks to acquire defensive players, resulting in a total of six defenders.
We won't know the actual impact of this year's class until these players hit the field and have time to develop, but on paper, it does appear that Roseman has maintained and created another Super Bowl window.
With Philadelphia set for its first practice of the preseason, we're looking at seven intriguing rookies to watch during Eagles' training camp.
OL Marcus Tate-Clemson
Philadelphia signed Tate (6-5, 321 pounds) after the former Clemson star participated in the Eagles' Rookie Camp earlier this spring. A four-year starter, Tate saw action in 42 games (37 starts), logging 2,502 snaps during his Tigers career. Tate became just the third true freshman offensive lineman in Clemson history to start a season opener in 2021.
Edge Rusher Antwaun Powell-Ryland
The biggest steal could be Virginia Tech pass rusher Antwaun Powell-Ryland. Powell-Ryland has spent the last two seasons at Virginia Tech, having transferred from Florida before the 2023 season.
In 2024, the 6-foot-2, 258-pounder started all 12 games he played, accumulating 43 total tackles and 16 sacks, which ranked third in FBS. Powell-Ryland earned first-team All-ACC and Associated Press All-American third-team honors during his redshirt senior season with the Hokies.
DB Andrew Mukuba
A player who can emulate C.J. Gardner-Johnson's production, Mukuba possesses the coverage skills to play in the slot and the athleticism to control the deep center field as a "robber," utilizing his instincts, burst, and ball skills to make plays.
DB Maxen Hook – Toledo
A former teammate of star cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, Hook was a first-team All-MAC selection in 2024, his third straight season earning the honor. He was the third Toledo Rocket to make an All-MAC team in four seasons.
Hook could be this year's Reed Blankenship after finishing 24th in the nation with 8.92 tackles per game. Hook finished his career with 356 tackles, seven interceptions, and 22 passes defended in 52 games.
OL Hollin Pierce – Rutgers
The 6-8, 341-pound Trenton, New Jersey native was Rutgers' first offensive lineman to earn All-America status since Anthony Davis in 2009. He also earned second-team All-Big Ten honors in 2024 after starting 13 games at left tackle.
RB ShunDerrick Powell – Central Arkansas
Powell rushed for over 4,000 yards in his collegiate career with 42 total touchdowns. He had eight 100-yard games in 2024. The two-time FCS All-American is a three-down running back and potential special-teams standout.
WR Darius Cooper – Tarleton State
A player to watch, the St. Louis, Missouri native joins the Eagles from Tarleton State, where he earned first-team Associated Press FCS All-America honors in his senior season. The 5-foot-11, 210-pound receiver is athletic and finished second in Division I in receiving yards with 1,450 (the second most in single-season school history) and sixth in touchdowns with 14 (the third most in single-season school history) in 2024. In 48 career games, Cooper accumulated 164 catches for 3,185 yards and 29 touchdowns, averaging 19.4 yards per catch.
QB Kyle McCord
There's been talk of McCord having the talent to unseat Tanner McKee as the Eagles' backup quarterback. Philadelphia loves the deep ball, and last season in the FBS, McCord ranked second in yardage (1,273) and posted a 96.4 PFF grade on throws of at least 20-plus air yards.
OL Myles Hinton
An early candidate for the Eagles' swing tackle position, He started 20 games at right tackle and 11 games at left tackle during five seasons in college.
LB Smael Mondon Jr.
Another Swiss army knife, the former Track and field star was a three-year starter at Georgia, playing inside linebacker, outside linebacker, and slot cornerback. Like Campbell, Mondon Jr. is an elite tackler with a 7.8% missed tackle rate at Georgia.