Saquon Barkley compares Jihaad Campbell to Micah Parsons: Eagles rookie LB is 'going to be a problem'

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2025-08-06

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Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jihaad Campbell is turning heads in training camp. And not just from reporters and fans.

Running back Saquon Barkley, for one, glowed about the rookie.

“Super raw, like freaky athletic,” he said on Tuesday, via NBC Sports Philly. “He’s going to be a problem, a real big problem for a lot of guys in the league who have to go against him and block him.”

Campbell, the No. 31 overall pick, has already taken over the inside linebacker role alongside Zack Baun. With Nakobe Dean injured, Campbell could earn a significant role early in the season. At 6-foot-3, 235 pounds, the rookie owns the size, athleticism and speed to make plays all over the formation.

Barkley went so far as to compare the rookie’s physique to one of the best defenders in the league.

“He’s kind of built like Micah (Parsons) a little bit,” Barkley said. “I’ve known Micah for a long time. So I feel like as he grows and learns the game a little bit more, you’re going to be able to put him in different spots. But just raw, uber athletic, can fly (and) aggressive.”

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Campbell’s play has stood out during camp, with Barkley quipping that the rookie has been “probably too aggressive” at some points.

In Vic Fangio’s scheme, Campbell has the talent to eventually move around and become that Parsons-type playmaker. However, the defensive coordinator cautioned against expecting the linebacker to be on the edge much early in the season.

“He needs a lot of work at it,” he said. “Again, that’s going back to the previous question, that’s adding things to his plate right now, and in defense of him, he hadn’t been coached up enough to be on the edge and play the way we want to play.

“So part of that’s him being overloaded, part of that is us not getting him ready, which is just a product of lack of time and lack of reps.”

Campbell owns the talent to be the latest Howie Roseman steal if he continues his upward trajectory into the regular season.