Latest news with #AndrewMukuba
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fun facts about the new Eagles pass rusher, Ogbo Okoronkwo
Summertime continues, but for the Philadelphia Eagles, it's time to go to work again. Rookies reported to training camp early. Veterans followed. Andrew Mukuba finally signed his rookie deal. A day before the first practice, the roster shuffle began. Two players were added, and two others exited the stage. Defensive end K.J. Henry and running back Lew Nichols were waived. To fill the vacated roster spaces, Philadelphia signed defensive tackle Jacob Sykes and defensive end Ogbonnia Okoronkwo. Sykes played at Harvard and UCLA and is a former undrafted free agent claimed by the Seattle Seahawks in 2023. He played the 2024 UFL season with the San Antonio Brahmas. Advertisement Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, we know a little better. He is a former fifth-rounder who won a Super Bowl ring as part of the Los Angeles Rams roster. Since then, he has also spent time with the Houston Texans and the Cleveland Browns. He now hopes to make the Eagles roster as part of a pass rush already featuring Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt, Azeez Ojulari, and Josh Uche. He's also an interesting person when he isn't wearing the shoulder pads. Here are a few fun facts about the new guy. Okoronkwo could have been a great NFL writer. Ogbonnia Okoronkwo is of Nigerian descent, and he is often referred to as 'Ogbo' for short. He was born in Gainesville, Florida. He was raised in Houston, Texas, and believe it or not, he originally wanted to be a writer before discovering football. Advertisement He still has a few sacks left in him, so a career in journalism can wait for a while, but once he hangs up the cleats, it's nice to know he has a job he can fall back on. Philadelphia may potentially land another community leader. The Philadelphia Eagles certainly aren't strangers to philanthropy. Harold Carmichael was once the 1980 NFL Man of the Year. Through the years, we've seen guys like Malcolm Jenkins, Chris Long, and Brian Dawkins heavily involved in the community. Okoronkwo will fit right in. Fans and locals in the Cleveland area often praised him for having an approachable personality. There are even stories of him inviting a family to the field at a Browns game. Advertisement How about a hand for an imposing resume? Although the off-field aspects are interesting, Okoronkwo's spot on the roster will only be guaranteed by one thing. The biggest question that needs to be answered is whether or not he can play football. Forty-four tackles and five sacks for the Texans in 2022 are the career highs of a six-year career. His addition to the Eagles' roster won't guarantee him anything, but now, at least, he has a chance to do something significant and join the defending Super Bowl champions. Will he make the most of his opportunity? Only time will tell. This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Fun facts about Ogbo Okoronkwo
USA Today
21-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
What are realistic expectations for Andrew Mukuba's rookie season with the Eagles?
Eagles rookie Andrew Mukuba may be asked to grow up fast, and he's ready to answer the call Just one day before the veterans report to Philadelphia Eagles training camp, news has emerged from the NovCare Complex: they have officially signed Andrew Mukuba to his rookie deal. Now, all ten players from the 2025 draft class are under contract. We can officially rule out holdouts and theories about what may be going wrong behind the scenes. That begs the question. What can be expected from the rookie in year one? Thank you for asking. How about we all throw around a few theories? Expectations for Andrew Mukuba's rookie season He stands at six feet. He weighs 190 pounds. He earned Third-Team All-ACC, Freshman All-American, and ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2021 while playing for the Clemson Tigers. He was a teammate of Will Shipley and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. there. His most recent (and final) season at the NCAA level was played as a member of the Texas Longhorns. He earned Third-Team All-SEC honors before being drafted 64th overall. Something tells us the Eagles are going to ask him to grow up quickly. That being said, here are a few reasonable expectations for the first year. Eagles fans love Sydney Brown. So do his teammates and position coaches. Here's a theory. Don't quote it. It's only a theory. It feels like Vic Fangio likes Brown but isn't in love with him. We've heard Coach Fangio mention Tristin McCollum without being prompted. We've seen many of the practice snaps that we thought would be given to Brown go to Andre' Sam. DeVonta Smith is usually pretty reserved during interviews. When he tips his cap to a rookie, pay attention. Mukuba will crack this starting lineup, and it may be sooner than you think. Fangio's scheme lends itself to funneling the ball carriers back to the linebackers and safeties. Trust this next theory. Mukuba will have opportunities to make plays. Fifty tackles seems reasonable. So does three interceptions, as he demonstrated his penchant for making plays at the collegiate level. Philadelphia will miss C.J. Gardner-Johnson's ability to lay the wood, but Mukuba will make fans forget him rather quickly. It's possible Jihaad Campbell could end his rookie campaign as a Defensive Rookie of the Year Candidate. It seems feasible that Mukuba could do the same. If we had to guess, we'd assume the latter won't wear the crown. He has stiff competition from other early favorites to win this award, like fellow safety Malaki Starks and star edge rusher Abdul Carter.
CBS News
21-07-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Philadelphia Eagles sign 2025 2nd-round pick Andrew Mukuba on eve of players' training camp report date
The Philadelphia Eagles and 2025 second-round pick Andrew Mukuba agreed to a four-year rookie contract on Monday, one day before the Super Bowl LIX champions report to training camp. Mukuba was the last of the Birds' 2025 draft class to sign. Mukuba was selected 64th overall in the 2025 draft out of the University of Texas. The 22-year-old will come to camp with an opportunity to win a starting safety job in defensive coordinator Vic Fangio's defense. After spending his first three collegiate seasons at Clemson, Mukuba transferred to Texas and registered a career-high 69 tackles, 11 passes defended and a team-leading five interceptions in 2024 for the Longhorns. Drafted as a safety, Mukuba is a versatile defensive back with experience playing in the slot and possessing ball-hawking skills. With the Eagles trading C.J. Gardner-Johnson to the Houston Texans, the 2024's No. 1-ranked defense has an opening at safety opposite Reed Blankenship. The Birds didn't add any additional safety help via free agency, though that could still be an option. Mukuba will battle 2023 third-round pick Sydney Brown and Tristin McCollum for the starting job. Cooper DeJean, another D-back with versatility, could also see time at safety this season when the Eagles are in base defense. Eagles rookies and veterans report for training camp Tuesday, and their first practice is scheduled for Wednesday.
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Daniss Jenkins with the great assist!
The Eagles Could Be Heading Into A SCARY Situation... The Philadelphia Eagles are just about a week away from training camp, and there's an unresolved issue going on around the league. Many 2nd round picks, including Andrew Mukuba, have still not signed their rookie contracts. Will he end up holding out of training camp next week? This could have a huge impact on the safeties room. In other news, Jalen Hurts gets disrespected by another national list and former Eagle CJ Gardner-Johnson apologizes for some recent comments he made about the team. Lastly, a division rival has frustrations boiling with one of their best players. Today, RB discusses all of this and more! 11:29 Now Playing Paused Ad Playing
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Eagles Join NFL In Concern Over Second-Round Draft Pick Contract
Eagles Join NFL In Concern Over Second-Round Draft Pick Contract originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Philadelphia Eagles were thrilled when they were able to draft Texas safety Andrew Mukuba. The hard-hitting safety was seen as a perfect replacement for the outspoken and now departed Chauncey Gardner-Johnson. Advertisement There is a major problem with Mukuba, though. And it has nothing to do with on-field prowess. It has everything to do with his current contract status. Like so many other current second-round picks, Mukuba has yet to sign his rookie contract. A holdup over guaranteed money is a big reason why 30 of 32 second-round rookies across the NFL have yet to be signed at this stage as well. Mukuba led the SEC last season with five interceptions and was a key part in the Longhorns' run to the College Football Playoff. If he can find a way to get on the field early, it will only help the Eagles' long-term trajectory. Advertisement And ahead of camp, Mukuba was already turning heads during offseason workouts. "Just seeing him out there, seeing the way he moves around, things like that," DeVonta Smith said at his fourth annual celebrity softball game at Coca-Cola Park recently, remarking on his impression of the rookie. "The way he goes about his business." Philadelphia needs Mukuba on the field - in some capacity - as early as possible. The defense under coordinator Vic Fangio is a complex system that takes time to learn. Mukuba will need all the reps he can get to fully grasp what is being asked of him. The issue for now is of course the fact that rookies cannot practice with their teams if they don't have a signed contract. Advertisement He'll miss precious time if he can't figure out a way to get a deal done with the Eagles. ... putting Philly in the same position as so many other NFL clubs with the same exact concern. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 14, 2025, where it first appeared.
