Latest news with #SBLIX
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Eagles' Jordan Mailata sees shades of Micah Parsons in ascending young teammate
Fresh off a whirlwind Super Bowl championship, the Philadelphia Eagles had to turn their attention to the 2025 league year in short order. For a team that harassed Patrick Mahomes and dominated the Chiefs' offensive front in SBLIX, the state of Philly's pass rush was easy for fans and analysts alike to question entering the offseason. All-time franchise great Brandon Graham announced his retirement in March, and the writing was on the wall in permanent ink when it came to Bryce Huff and his untenable situation. As a result, Philly's pass rush will look a lot different in 2025, especially on the outside. With all due respect to free agent signings Azeez Ojulari and Josh Uche, and sixth-round rookie Antwaun Powell-Ryland, the Eagles have a lot to prove in that department as training camp officially kicks off this week. The good news? The Eagles have two young aces in the hole. Nolan Smith Jr.'s breakout season got some national attention during last year's run, especially over the second half of the season. The key contributor who flew more under the radar was Jalyx Hunt, a third-round rookie who filled a prominent role in Philly's EDGE rotation from Week 10 on. Hunt is now entering Year 2, fully entrenched as the Eagles' starter opposite Smith. He has the task of lining up opposite left tackle Jordan Mailata in 11-on-11 drills during practice, and Mailata sees an ascending star in the 24-year-old. Mailata went as far as comparing Mailata to one of the NFL's premiere pass rushers — Micah Parsons of the Dallas Cowboys. 'Jalyx? Oh, man. He's going to be special,' Mailata said with a wide smile during a sit-down with the media on Wednesday. 'Just his burst. He has tendencies like Micah, just to be able to cut on a dime like that. I'm so proud of that guy, the way he works. 'How did I go from Josh Sweat to Jalyx, man?' Mailata added of his practice assignments. 'It's crazy. It's like Howie, give me a break for one year. … Jalyx is going to be a star, man. And I'm glad that I get to go up against him, because I know that if he's giving me hell, he's going to give everyone else hell.' That's obviously extremely high praise from a player Pro Football Focus graded No. 1 among all offensive tackles in football last season. Hunt appears poised to continue his upward trajectory from his rookie year, and the Eagles are clearly banking on that based on how they addressed the EDGE position this offseason. MORE EAGLES NEWS: Eagles Swiss-Army-Knife plan for Cooper DeJean takes shape in first training camp practice Eagles' Reed Blankenship sends message on Day 1 of training camp. Now it's Philly's move Meet Jacob Sykes, Eagles' new young defensive tackle who starred for UFL's Brahmas Ex-Eagles OC Kellen Moore's challenge grows as Saints lose second starter to retirement in 73 days Eagles predicted to cut ties with two veteran TEs in favor of ascending training camp star
USA Today
7 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Jalyx Hunt sends inspiring message ahead of Eagles training camp
Jalyx Hunt isn't letting last year's success affect his mindset Eagles sack Mahomes on back to back plays!📺: #SBLIX on FOX📱: Tubi + NFL app This time last year, Jalyx Hunt was preparing for his rookie season with the Eagles. He had the benefit of learning behind veterans Brandon Graham and Josh Sweat while absorbing information from defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. Philadelphia is transitioning to a new era of pass-rushers in 2025. With the departures of Graham (retirement) and Sweat (free agency), Hunt and former first-round pick Nolan Smith will need to step up in their place. "Hurting my heart," Hunt said via The Philadelphia Inquirer about losing teammates. "This is the business part that everybody talks about. So, this is my first time experiencing it. I'm going through the throes of it right now." After being a healthy scratch Week 1 in Brazil, Hunt saw more playing time as the 2024 season progressed. He played in at least 17 defensive snaps in each of the final eight regular-season games and broke out during the playoffs en route to a Super Bowl title. Championships are hard to come by, let alone in your rookie season. The early success could easily lead young players to develop a sense of superiority. Not the 24-year-old Hunt. When the Eagles were presented with their Super Bowl rings on Friday night, Hunt posted an Instagram story captioned: "This doesn't matter in 4 days." Four days from that night is July 22nd — the day Eagles players report for training camp. Hunt's mindset is a reflection of Nick Sirianni's message this offseason: don't get caught up in the Super Bowl high. "Every time we talk about it, talking about this topic, we're talking about sustained success," Sirianni said, per NBC Philadelphia. "I think they understand what that is. A lot of these guys have had sustained success, right? They know it's not anything they've done in their past, and it's not them looking forward to the future. It's about being where they are right now. I think that's kind of our daily message with them." Hunt enters camp with a leg up thanks to a full season in Fangio's system, but he'll still need to outperform newcomers Azeez Ojulari and Josh Uche to secure a starting role. One thing is for certain: heightened expectations won't change his process in Year 2. "I'm going to do what I did last year," Hunt said. "Just put my head down, work, study some more film, ask more questions. I feel as if I can ask better questions now that I know a little bit more about the position and I've played and I've got some experience at it. Just ask my butt off. Work my butt off."
USA Today
17-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Cooper DeJean is finding his way into top cornerback conversations
Cooper DeJean is well-respected among NFL executive, scouts, and coaches COOPER DEJEAN PICK TO THE HOUSE!📺: #SBLIX on FOX📱: Tubi + NFL app Cooper DeJean was the first rookie to have a pick-six in a Super Bowl since 1986. He was the highest-graded cornerback last season, according to Pro Football Focus. If he didn't replace Avonte Maddox after the bye week, would they have won a championship? DeJean's impact was felt throughout the 2024-25 season, and league circles are paying attention. ESPN released their top-10 cornerback rankings on Thursday, and while DeJean didn't crack the list, he received several votes. His fellow draftmate, Quinyoin Mitchell, was ranked ninth. Versatility and athleticism are what make DeJean a special player. Here's a breakdown of DeJean's snaps from the regular and postseason via PFF: With Darius Slay and Isaiah Rodgers departing in free agency, the Eagles want DeJean on the field as much as possible. Vic Fangio has even considered giving him more snaps outside or at safety in base packages. DeJean moved around frequently in college but never played extensively at the safety position. 'I'll play wherever, to be honest,' DeJean said in May. 'Wherever they put me on the football field, I'll play there. As long as I'm out there, I'll be ready to play no matter the position, whether it's corner, nickel, or safety.' DeJean recorded 51 tackles and six pass breakups during his rookie season, finishing fourth in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting.
USA Today
17-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Eagles Projected 2025 Depth Chart: Quarterback
Eagles Projected 2025 Depth Chart: Quarterback Predicting which Eagles' QBs will make the final 53-man roster JALEN TO DEVONTA DEEP TOUCHDOWN! 📺: #SBLIX on FOX 📱: Tubi + NFL app — NFL (@NFL) February 10, 2025 With the NFL Draft and initial waves of free agency behind us, we can begin to break down the roster. The Eagles kick off OTAS in ten days, so now is a good time to predict the depth chart before position battles get underway. Today, we will start with the quarterback. QB1, Jalen Hurts Hurts is entering his sixth season with Philadelphia, fresh off winning a championship and taking home Super Bowl MVP. Last season, he set career-highs in completion percentage (68.7) and passer rating (103.7) while continuing to be dynamic with his legs. Hurts has a 46-20 record as a starter, winning 70% of his games despite having a new playcaller every season. You can rank NFL quarterbacks however you choose, but Hurts must be included when discussing the top-five names. QB2, Tanner McKee The Eagles traded last year's backup, Kenny Pickett, to the Cleveland Browns in March, effectively making Tanner McKee the QB2. McKee should've been the backup last year, but Philadelphia opted for experience, and Pickett delivered when Hurts got injured late in the season. The former sixth-round pick out of Stanford has impressed when given the opportunity, so much so that teams inquired about his availability this offseason. He went 3/4 passing for 54 yards and two touchdowns in relief duty vs. Dallas, becoming the first player in the NFL Draft era to have multiple TD passes in his NFL debut while attempting five or fewer passes. McKee threw for 269 yards and two more scores the following week in his first career start against the Giants. Although the NFL is moving away from traditional pocket passers, McKee's poise and accuracy make him a promising player who can win games when needed. GO BACK TO AJ BROWN. Great throw by Tanner McKee. 📺: #DALvsPHI on FOX 📱: — NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2024 QB3, Kyle McCord Eagles GM Howie Roseman typically favors his draft picks over reclamation projects. In exchange for Kenny Pickett, Philadelphia received QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson to potentially battle for the third QB spot. The Eagles also selected Syracuse QB Kyle McCord in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. After one year as a starter at Ohio State, McCord led the FBS with an ACC-record 4,779 passing yards. He grew up in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, and idolized Donovan McNabb, often watching his games at Lincoln Financial Field. While Thompson wasn't drafted into an ideal situation, he's thrown ten interceptions to just one touchdown in his career. DTR's athleticism may be a better fit stylistically, but McCord is more talented. Practice Squad: Dorian Thompson-Robinson
USA Today
28-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Bowling Green head coach Scot Loeffler hired as Philadelphia Eagles' quarterbacks coach
Bowling Green head coach Scot Loeffler hired as Philadelphia Eagles' quarterbacks coach Show Caption Hide Caption Joe Montana on officiating, Niners quarterback Brock Purdy and SB LIX Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana talks all things NFL, Super Bowl 59 and his partnership with Pfizer. The Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles went back to college — to find their new quarterbacks coach. On Friday, Bowling Green announced its football coach, Scot Loeffler, was leaving the program to become the quarterbacks coach for the Eagles. Doug Nussmeier previously held the position for Philadelphia before he followed former offensive coordinator and newly hired New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore to the NFC South. REQUIRED READING: 'I'm just different': Travis Hunter explains why he could pull off NFL double duty "BGSU is a special university and community that truly embraces relationships, people and the student experience," said Derek van der Merwe — Bowling Green vice president for athletics strategy — in a statement. "In these last six seasons, Scot built a very successful program in a challenging climate in collegiate sports. "More importantly, he built this program while ensuring his team and coaches were truly committed to the values and mission that make this university great." The 50-year-old took over the Falcons program in November 2018 as a first-time head coach, producing a 27-41 record in six seasons. However, Bowling Green went 20-19 in the last three seasons, which included 7-6 seasons in 2023 and 2024 and three straight bowl appearances — the second-longest streak in program history. Loeffler will now be paired with new Eagles offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo to keep the Eagles offense humming. He will get to work with quarterback Jalen Hurts, who won Super Bowl MVP honors with three total touchdowns in a 40-22 victory over the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. Scot Loeffler coaching career Loeffler joined Lloyd Carr's Michigan staff as a student assistant in 1996 after playing quarterback for the Wolverines from 1993-96. In 2000, he took over as quarterbacks coach at Central Michigan before returning to his alma mater in the same role from 2002-07. His only prior NFL experience was as the Detroit Lions' quarterbacks coach, during the 2008 season. He also served as a quarterbacks coach with Florida under Urban Meyer during the 2009 and 2010 seasons, working with Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow, who had his most efficient season in 2009 under Loeffler. As noted in Bowling Green's statement, Loeffler has worked with eight college quarterbacks who went on to the NFL: Tebow, Tom Brady, Brian Griese, Chad Henne, Drew Henson, John Navarre, Logan Thomas and Anthony Brown. Here's a look at Loeffler's complete coaching history:
