Breaking news: Eagles favorite star is back: ‘It was worth the wait’
Jihaad Campbell, a first-round pick of the Eagles, had his dream come true Thursday night when the team selected him with the 31st pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Executive Vice President/General Manager Howie Roseman and the Eagles called Campbell, but the icing on the cake came less than 24 hours later when Campbell and his parents, Mark and Stephanie, arrived in Philadelphia on a flight from Green Bay, where they were in the draft’s green room. “When I was on the plane, I was looking like, ‘Dang, I’m really back home.’ That’s when it hit me. I was like, ‘OK. All right,” said Jihaad Campbell. “I’m really excited to be an Eagle.”
“Being picked by his favorite team since he was four years old and embarking on his new career has been really thrilling. In addition to spending time with his father, uncle, and grandfather during the games, he now gets to play for this unique squad. It’s been fantastic,” his mother Stephanie stated.
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— April 27, 2025, Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles)
His father and his grandfather, Mark, encouraged the former Alabama linebacker to dream of being an Eagle, which is how his passion for the team began.
“I believe I gave a shout-out to my grandfather, Pop Pop, when I was visiting my grandparents’ house. I saw every card selection he had when I was younger. “All right, I know it,” I said. “I could certainly perform for those boys,” Campbell remarked.
“I mean, one of my greatest life supports. Every time he messages me, he makes sure to mention something like, “Love, Pop Pop,” “Love my mom,” or “Just keep being a good person in life.” “Just keep playing football like a pro.”
What was his Pop Pop’s reaction when his grandson joined the Eagles at last?
“He was obviously lighted, but I feared he was going to faint. The first-round selection remarked, “I was really thrilled and thrilled that he got to witness that moment and that I got to treasure that moment with him.”
Lincoln Financial Field is just twenty minutes away from Campbell’s hometown of Erial, New Jersey. He attended Timber Creek High School in New Jersey for three years before transferring to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, for his senior year, when he became a five-star Top-15 overall talent nationwide.
Campbell also played defensive end and wide receiver at Timber Creek, where he had 45 tackles and seven sacks while catching 15 receptions for 249 yards and two scores.
“A wonderful child. Even if he is an excellent football player, it is his character that appeals to me. The toughest worker in the room, with a big smile on his face all the time. Brian Wright, the head coach at Timber Creek, described him as “one of those guys that you know he’s the dude as soon as you lay eyes on him.”
He is the most diligent worker in the area, enjoys working out, and is constantly competitive. Extremely adaptable in terms of posture. He can perform anyplace. He’s modest and everyone adores him. It’s a testimonial to the sort of child you are when you’re in a circumstance where you have to leave but are able to return for your signing day and the community welcomes you back. At Timber Creek, he made a huge impression. Very nice dude. Rob Hinson, a former head coach at Timber Creek and player personnel analyst at Rutgers, stated.
