3 Things on newly-signed Philadelphia Eagles CB Jamalcolm Liggins
On Friday, May 10th, the Philadelphia Eagles signed a corner, but the move didn’t get a ton of headlines. Who is this Jamalcolm Jenkins dude?
Ladies and gentlemen, the Philadelphia Eagles have added Jamalcolm Jenkins to a very crowded cornerback competition. Who is that you ask? Don’t worry. We had to utilize Google as well.
If anyone else tells you that they haven’t had to use a search engine to locate some info on Mr. Liggins, they may be fibbing. Unless, of course, they attended Dickinson State University or covered the school’s football team. An agent found a highlight reel on Twitter for crying out loud.
That’s all less important than what we know now. To complete the Eagles’ 90-man roster, they added this small school corner. Take a second, and look at all the guys Philly now has listed at corner.
On March 15th, a one-year, $8.5 million deal was signed by Ronald Darby, ending the debate about whether or not he’d remain in the ‘City of Brotherly Love’ or take his talents elsewhere.
Add him to a room that includes Rasul Douglas, Josh Hawkins, Sidney Jones, Cre’von LeBlanc, Avonte Maddox, and Jalen Mills. Blake Countess was added on May 3rd. Philly restructured him not too long afterwards, and now, they’ve added another young gun who’ll have a chance to prove he can play in the ultra-competitive NFL.
Here are three initial thoughts:
1. He almost didn’t play football at all. Oh, and did we mention an agent found him via a highlight reel on Twitter?
Rather than play ball, Liggins was close to going into the militairy. Once he changed his mind, he reached out to Dickinson State, and this undrafted prospect’s story isn’t quite history yet. Instead, it’s turning into a very readable work on nonfiction.
2. NFL teams have been paying attention to him for quite some time.
While training in Texas, prior to the most recent draft, Liggins spoke to a dozen teams. Obviously, the Eagles were one of them, so they’re no strangers to his talents. Believe it or not, another NFL squad even sent him a playbook so that he could familiarize himself with what they wanted to do on defense.
3. No one can express Liggins’ opportunity better than he can do it himself.
Throughout the process, Liggins has remained humble. In a recent interview with Conor Orr of SI’s MMQB, the rookie had this to say:
"I’d take any route I can to get where I want to be. I’m excited for it. I’m prepared, it’s a big day and I’m expecting great things."
In an interview with Draft Diamonds, he was asked to put film study, strength and conditioning, and practice in order based on their importance. He responded with this:
"Strength and conditioning, Practice then film study. I feel strength and conditioning is most important because if you are not as strong or conditioned as you need to be you will spend most of the season getting where you need to be. Then practice because that is where you make the most improvements to your game, the last film because if you’re not where you need to be with your conditioning and strength nor do you put in the work at practice no matter how many films you watch you will not be ready on game day."
It definitely appears that he’s ready. He may have been the last man added to Philly’s 90-man roster, but one thing is certain now more than ever. He won’t be the first man kicked off of the final 53-man version.