DeVonta Smith reveals which Eagles rookie has impressed him ahead of NFL training camp
Philadelphia Eagles star wide receiver DeVonta Smith has been in the league long enough to recognize talent when it’s in front of him.
At his annual charity softball game, Smith was asked which rookie has caught his eye this offseason.
He may have stumbled over the name, but he had no trouble remembering exactly where the young player came from.
"The guy from Texas? The safety," Smith told reporters. "I couldn't say his name, so yea."
That Texas product Smith is referring to is Philly's 2025 second-round pick Andrew Mukuba.
Smith has yet to face him at practice; however, he has liked what he's seen from the rookie so far.
"Just seeing him out there, seeing the way he moves around, things like that," Smith said. "The way he goes about his business."
Mukuba heads to Philadelphia after a breakout final season at Texas in 2024, where he posted 69 tackles, 12 pass breakups, five interceptions, and a forced fumble. His standout moment came on a national stage against Michigan, when he notched his first interception as a Longhorn, registered four tackles, and broke up two passes, earning him National Defensive Back of the Week honors.
The Eagles still have Reed Blankenship, Tristin McCollum, Andre Sam, Sydney Brown, and Lewis Cine competing at safety following the departures of Avonte Maddox and C.J. Gardner-Johnson. But outside of Blankenship, few on that list have proven themselves as consistent difference-makers.
That leaves the door wide open for Mukuba to carve out a meaningful role in Philly’s secondary this fall. And if Smith is already singing his praises, Eagles fans have every reason to keep a close eye on the rookie's rise.
Related articles
3 early predictions for Wild offseason after Golden Knights series loss
Rangers Solidify Center Depth With Adam Edström Extension-1740554204-q80.webp "Buccaneers GM Jason Licht Explains Why Josh Grizzard is the Right Fit for OC Role")
Buccaneers GM Jason Licht Explains Why Josh Grizzard is the Right Fit for OC Role
Cleveland Browns Predicted to Make Huge Trade With Buffalo BillsThe Latest
Porsha Williams Claps Back at Phaedra Parks for Saying She Was Wrongfully “Punished” for False Rumor About Kandi: You “Apologized After for Telling Me the Lie”
Credit: Instagram Porsha Williams is firing back at Phaedra Parks for claiming she was wrongfully “punished” for spreading a false rumor about Kandi Burruss years ago on The Real Housewives of Atlanta. Phaedra, 51, joined RHOA during the show’s third season, and she quickly became a fan favorite thanks to her lavish ...
Tamra Judge Teases “Explosive” Drama With Gretchen, “Emotional” RHOC Season 19, and Vicki’s Potential Return, Plus If She’ll Attend Alexis and John’s Wedding, Who Else Was Invited, and Breakup Rumors
Credit: Instagram Tamra Judge is opening up about the drama she faced with Gretchen Rossi amid filming on the upcoming 19th season of The Real Housewives of Orange County. While also sharing her thoughts on whether Vicki Gunvalson, 63, should return for season 20, revealing if she’ll attend the wedding of Alexis Bellino, 48, and John Janssen, ...
Browns QB likely headed to reserve/PUP list, longshot to play in 2025
Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam effectively closed the book on the Deshaun Watson era in Cleveland, labeling the high-priced quarterback “a big swing and miss” earlier this year. Two years, however, still remain on the embattled QB’s five-year, $230M fully ...
Marvin Mims Jr. Pinpoints the Game That Changed How Broncos View Him
The Marvin Mims Jr. who finished the 2024 regular season looked far different than the guy at the beginning of the campaign. In the first half of the season, Mims was a relative non-entity in the Denver Broncos' offense, much ...
Kristen Doute & Luke Broderick Debut Baby Girl, See Kaia Lily as Kristen Shares Best Part of Motherhood, Talks 14-Hour Labor, and Reveals Plans for Baby No. 2, Plus If Kaia Will Appear on Season 3
Kristen Doute and Luke Broderick debuted the first photos of their two-week-old daughter, Kaia Lily, on Tuesday. As the latest episode of The Valley saw Kristen, 42, and Luke, 33, getting engaged on a boat in Hawaii, the couple was seen on the cover of Us Weekly magazine, where they held ...
-1740409840-q80.webp "Scheana Shay Details Her Health Journey & the Big Step She Just Took as She Turns 40")
