Eagles Today

'Bama Psi Phi' Among Familiar Trappings For Eagles' First-Round Pick Jihaad Campbell

The Eagles' first-round pick is already very familiar with his surroundings
Eagles' LB Jihaad Campbell with his mom and dad at the NovaCare Complex.
Eagles' LB Jihaad Campbell with his mom and dad at the NovaCare Complex. | John McMullen/Eagles On SI

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PHILADELPHIA - One of the more difficult aspects for any NFL rookie is the upheaval, which usually means moving and encountering an entirely new atmosphere.

That won't be a problem for Eagles first-round pick Jihaad Campbell.

There were a lot of familiar trappings as Campbell arrived in South Philadelphia after attending Day 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft's festivities in Green Bay.

The South Jersey native's childhood home in Erial, NJ, is less than 20 miles from the NovaCare Complex, and his mom and dad were able to accompany the former Alabama star for his introductory press conference at the NovaCare Complex.

"When I was on the plane [from the draft], I was looking like, 'Dang, I'm really back home.' That's when it hit me.

"I was like, 'Okay. All right.'"

When Campbell arrived, he was greeted with a big hug from linebackers coach Bobby King, while edge rushing coach Jeremiah Washburn waited his turn to welcome Campbell after assistant LBs coach/quality control coach Ronell Williams.

There are plenty of familiar faces for Campbell to catch up with as well, including former teammates Tyler Steen, Eli Ricks, and Cameron Latu, along with the Eagles' more star-studded Alabama players: Jalen Hurts, DeVonta Smith, Landon Dickerson, and defensive tackle Byron Young.

"I mean it's great, man," Campbell told Philadelphia Eagles On SI. "You know, just to have that brotherhood. That B Psi Phi (Bama Psi Phi), It goes a long way.

"You see a lot a different dudes in the league right now that rep that "A" on their chest still. Hold that tradition, that standard in whatever they are doing in their life.

"It means a lot."

MORE NFL: Plenty Of Intriguing Possibilities For Eagles On Day 2


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John McMullen
JOHN MCMULLEN

John McMullen is a veteran reporter who has covered the NFL for over two decades. The current NFL insider for JAKIB Media, John is the former NFL Editor for The Sports Network where his syndicated column was featured in over 200 outlets including the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, and Miami Herald. He was also the national NFL columnist for Today's Pigskin as well as FanRag Sports. McMullen has covered the Eagles on a daily basis since 2016, first for ESPN South Jersey and now for Eagles Today on SI.com's FanNation. You can listen to John, alongside legendary sports-talk host Jody McDonald every morning from 8-10 on ‘Birds 365,” streaming live on YouTube.com. John is also the host of his own show "Extending the Play" on AM1490 in South Jersey and part of 6ABC.com's live postgame show after every Eagles game. You can reach him at jmcmullen44@gmail.com or on Twitter @JFMcMullen

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