Former Tiger Andrew Mukuba talks 'full circle moment' with former teammate in NFL
Former Tiger Andrew Mukuba talks 'full circle moment' with former teammate in NFL
Andrew Mukuba's NFL journey has brought him full circle — back alongside his former Clemson teammates Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and Will Shipley, now all members of the Philadelphia Eagles.
Mukuba, taken with the 64th overall pick in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, played three seasons at Clemson before transferring to Texas for his final college year. During his time with the Tigers from 2021 to 2023, Mukuba was part of the same recruiting class as Trotter and Shipley, and even roomed with Trotter his freshman year.
'It's kind of cool for everything to go full circle,' Mukuba said at his introductory press conference. 'Now I'm fixing to be on the same defense with Trotter, on the same team with Will Shipley. It's amazing to already have people I've known here to help me get everything figured out.'
Mukuba finished his Clemson career with 149 tackles, 20 pass breakups, and one interception across 35 games. He then returned home to Austin, Texas, where he delivered a strong final season at Texas, posting 69 tackles and a career-high five interceptions en route to third-team All-SEC honors.
'Playing this last year at Texas was an honor and a blessing,' Mukuba said. 'I wasn't putting myself in position to be successful [before the transfer]. I'm very self-aware and I knew what I needed to do.'
In joining the Eagles, Mukuba now steps into a franchise with a rich history of Clemson connections at safety — most notably, Hall of Famer Brian Dawkins. The two even crossed paths in Tigertown.
'He used to always come by a lot in Clemson,' Mukuba said. 'Had a few good conversations with him. He's good people. I know they love him here. How could you not?'
For Mukuba, it's not just about where he's going — it's also about who's there with him. After a year in burnt orange, he's back in familiar company, ready for the next chapter in green.
Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions.
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