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.”

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.

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.