There's a surge of young talent in the linebacker room for the Philadelphia Eagles, and Smael Mondon Jr. is out to prove he's more than just a special teams contributor.
The former Georgia Bulldog gained some first-team reps during OTAs while rotating in with Jeremiah Trotter Jr at one of the off-ball linebacker spots. With Jihaad Campbell's shoulder injury holding him out of action, Mondon Jr. looked solid in his reps and could be headed for an increased role this coming season.
The second off-season surgery of second-year man Campbell has allowed other linebackers to show their mettle, and much of the buzz emerging from OTAs was centered around the superior recognition skills of Trotter Jr.
Yet Mondon Jr, the former fifth round selection out of Georgia, brings a different skill set to the table.
Former five-star recruit is a sideline-to-sideline menace
The scouting profile for Mondon Jr. is important to keep in mind when assessing his long-term potential in Philadelphia. A former five-star recruit and the No. 21 prospect in the 2021 recruiting class, the two-time national champion has always been lauded for his ability to cover serious ground.
Participating in the 2025 NFL draft combine, he notched the top 10-yard shuttle time of all linebackers, clocking in at 1.52 seconds. In addition, his 10'10" mark in the broad jump paced the linebacker class as well.
Birds have talented young linebackers aplenty
The two backup linebackers who shared first-team reps in OTA's bring plenty of promise to the table. While Trotter Jr. brings the hammer in run support, Mondon Jr. excels with quick bursts and elite overall range. Add in UDFA Deontae Lawson, who is also headstrong on cracking the 53-man roster, and the depth behind Zack Baun and Campbell is plentiful.
With General Manager Howie Roseman reworking Zack Baun's deal to make this coming season a true contract year, the trio of Trotter, Mondon Jr, and undrafted free agent Deontae Lawson is vying to make an impact for the Eagles and prove they are worthy successors in the middle. And for Mondon Jr, his speed and range are calling cards that stand out when he takes the field.
Read more: It's show time or hit the road time for handful of Eagles corners
The future in Philadelphia's linebacker room looks mighty bright, and while Campbell and most recently Trotter Jr. have garnered much of the limelight, Eagles fans can rest assured that Mondon Jr. is also fully capable of shining.
Add us as a preferred source on Google