The Philadelphia Eagles have a strong tradition of tapping into the talent pool from the University of Georgia, with four former Bulldogs already anchoring their starting lineup and a fifth expected to join soon. Now, another Georgia standout, Smael Mondon, is making waves in training camp and positioning himself as a potential starter, according to the latest reports.
Selected in the fifth round of this year’s NFL Draft, Mondon brought an impressive resume from his time at Georgia, despite battling multiple injuries during his college career. When healthy, the multi-year starter was a dominant force on the field, showcasing his athleticism and playmaking ability. The Eagles saw enough potential to take a chance on the young linebacker, and Mondon is already proving their decision was a wise one.
Just months into his professional career, Mondon is earning first-team reps at Eagles training camp, a remarkable achievement for a rookie. While current starters Nakobe Dean and Zack Baun still hold the top spots at linebacker, Mondon’s rapid rise suggests he could challenge for a starting role sooner rather than later. At the very least, the Eagles appear to have secured a high-quality depth player who can step in seamlessly when needed, with the potential to develop into a full-time starter.
Smael Mondon Jr. is getting first team reps with Zach Baun on the sideline
— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) June 10, 2025
Mondon’s college stats speak to his impact on the field. Over four years at Georgia, he amassed 212 tackles, eight sacks, and 18 tackles for loss across 51 games. His contributions helped the Bulldogs secure two national championships and two SEC titles, cementing his reputation as a winner. Now, as he transitions to the NFL, Mondon is showing the same tenacity and skill that made him a standout in college.
While it remains to be seen whether Mondon will claim a starting spot this season, his early success in camp is a promising sign for Eagles fans. If he continues to impress, Philadelphia may have found another gem from Georgia, ready to make an immediate impact and contribute to the team’s championship aspirations.