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Rookie Andrew Mukuba Thanks Eagles LB After Signing His First NFL Contract

It’s not every day that two college teammates get to wear the same NFL jersey. For rookie safety Andrew Mukuba, the moment wasn’t just about signing with the Philadelphia Eagles—it was about recognizing the person who helped him get there.

Shortly after finalizing his rookie contract, Mukuba gave a heartfelt shoutout to second-year linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr., his former teammate at Clemson and now his locker-room neighbor in Philadelphia.

“He didn’t have to take me under his wing, but he did,” Mukuba said. “I wouldn’t be here without him—and now I’m proud to call him a teammate.”

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The two were part of Clemson’s defense for multiple seasons, with Trotter Jr. commanding the middle and Mukuba patrolling the back end. Off the field, the linebacker took on a quiet mentorship role, helping Mukuba adjust to the demands of major college football and pushing him through the highs and lows that come with the game.

That support didn’t stop when Mukuba declared for the draft. According to sources close to the team, Trotter Jr. personally vouched for Mukuba’s toughness, work ethic, and fit within the Eagles’ locker room culture—something that caught the attention of the coaching staff.

Eagles observations: Jeremiah Trotter Jr. to start? Safety competition  heats up

Now, the two Tigers are reunited in midnight green, this time under a much bigger spotlight. And for Mukuba, this chance isn’t just about proving himself at the next level—it’s about honoring the bond that helped him get here.

Their story is rare but powerful: two young defenders from Clemson, chasing dreams side by side in the NFL, with one guiding the other through the hardest parts of the journey.

Mukuba may be new to the Eagles, but thanks to Jeremiah Trotter Jr., he’s far from starting alone.

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Packers' Star QB Refuses MVP Title to Fully Focus on Team in Tough Phase
Can you believe it? Jordan Love, the "red-hot" quarterback of the Green Bay Packers, is on track to compete for MVP with +1000 odds at DraftKings – but this guy is "refusing" personal glory to pour all his energy into the team struggling with a "hellish" schedule! Is this a heroic act or just a ploy? Read now to uncover the "truth" behind it! In the Super Bowl era, the Packers have produced three MVP legends: Bart Starr (1966), Brett Favre (1995-1997), and Aaron Rodgers (2011, 2014, 2020, 2021). Now, Jordan Love has a chance to become the fourth, putting the Packers on par with the Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts – the only team with four QB MVPs like Johnny Unitas, Earl Morrall, Bert Jones, and Peyton Manning. With his current "explosive" form, Love ranks fourth in the NFL for passer rating (105.4), tied for fifth in touchdown passes (22), with only four interceptions – the fewest among QBs starting all 13 games, and a 67.1% completion rate ranking seventh. But instead of "dreaming" of MVP, Love seems to be "rejecting" it! In a recent interview, he emphasized: "These are the most important games of the season, obviously with a lot of things coming down to playoff seeding and the division race, so this is the important football. I think it’s everybody, we keep stacking and keep getting better and better throughout the season and learn from the mistakes we make and overcome some of the obstacles. Just keep stacking and trying to find ways to get better every day is something that’s been helping us." These words are like a clear "declaration": Love doesn't care about MVP, but only wants to focus on the team in its "tough phase" with a 9-3-1 record, trailing the Rams (10-3) in the NFC. Head coach Matt LaFleur also "sings along": "Yeah, he’s playing really good football right now. That’s obviously important and it’s going to be important moving forward." And offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich praises the consistency: "I would say just the consistency that he’s had has been great... Just being a consistent, efficient quarterback is one thing that I’ve been really pleased with." But it's Packers defensive end Micah Parsons who "reveals" why Love deserves but is "overlooking" MVP: "I definitely think he deserves recognition... If you go off strength of schedule, how he's played and with him missing half his receivers, I think that goes unnoticed, too. Some of the things he did without (Christian Watson) early in the year, then (Jayden Reed), so this guy was missing two of his starting receivers majority of the year and they're just now getting back in these last eight weeks of the stretch, so I definitely think he deserves a lot more credit and I'm just happy I'm able to be a part of this journey with him." Currently, Matthew Stafford of the Rams leads the MVP race with -180 odds, 35 touchdown passes (far ahead of Dak Prescott with 26), passer rating 113.1, and only four interceptions. Drake Maye of the Patriots follows with +200, passer rating 111.9, 3,412 passing yards, and 23 touchdowns. Love, with a four-game winning streak (nine touchdowns, one interception, passer rating 112.1), could stage a comeback if he maintains "red-hot form" – especially in the upcoming two "epic" games: away at Denver (11-2) and Chicago (9-4). If the Packers leap to the NFC's No. 1 seed (likely needing a 4-0 finish), while the Rams stumble against Detroit (8-5) and Seattle (10-3), or the Patriots slip against Buffalo (9-4) and Baltimore (6-7), Love would have a shot at MVP. But with his "humble" attitude, does Love really want to "accept" that title? Or is he sacrificing personally to save the Packers from the "tough phase"? The 2025 NFL drama is "hotter than ever"! Do you think Love is "playing a trick" to motivate the team? Comment now and follow for the "shocking" outcome of the MVP race!