Everyone in the Philadelphia Eagles training camp has been so focused on rookies Jihaad Campbell and Andrew Mukuba that they have forgotten about another player who made some significant waves.
Rookie linebacker Smael Mondon Jr. had one of his best practices of the young training camp season. Bleeding Green Nation Eagles reporter Brandon Lee Gowton detailed Mondon's stellar performance at camp.
"Smael Mondon Jr. had a standout performance on Thursday. I wrote his name down three different times for blowing up rushing attempts. Pretty wild that the Eagles have multiple off-ball linebackers playing well."
Could Mondon steal a spot at inside linebacker?
The linebacker position has been a focus throughout all of training camp, with Campbell back from injury and Eagles fans patiently awaiting the return of Nakobe Dean. It has been Zack Baun and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. getting the first team reps, with Campbell jumping into the rotation.
Mondon provides an interesting choice at inside linebacker after being selected in the fifth round of the NFL Draft. Coming out of Eagles general manager Howie Roseman's favorite college, Georgia, Mondon was praised for being a stellar tackler despite being undersized at the position at 6-foot-2.
He was initially projected to be a third-string linebacker on the team and someone who might be a bubble spot on the roster. Mondon still feels like a lock to make the roster since he was drafted, and Roseman's love for Georgia players makes him a solid pick to land on the 53-man roster.
With Campbell getting all the love and attention at camp, it's good to see Mondon getting some eyes on him, as he has a long way to go. He will need preseason more than ever to get himself to stay on defensive coordinator Vic Fangio's radar.
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If Mondon can end up being a significant guy at linebacker, it will further prove how great of a developer Fangio is and Roseman's eye for talent in the late rounds of the draft.