'Welcome Home': Eagles Draft Gloucester Twp. Native In The First Round

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — A Gloucester Township native is flying with the defending Super Bowl champs.

It was only years ago that Jihaad Campbell attended Timber Creek High School. On Thursday, the Philadelphia Eagles traded up to select the off-ball linebacker in the first round with the 31st overall pick.

Now, he's set to be part of his hometown team.

The Eagles traded the 32nd pick and a fifth-round pick to the Kansas City Chiefs to select Campbell.

"They're a great organization," Campbell said Thursday. "Very great coaches, great staff that make sure the team has great value so we can win."

Born in Erial, Campbell spent three years at Timber Creek High School before transferring to IMG Academy in Florida. He initially committed to playing football at Clemson University before flipping to the University of Alabama in 2021.

In college, Campbell truly emerged as a senior, when he led the Crimson Tide with 117 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss and five sacks this year. He was named to the first-team All-SEC and became a semifinalist for the Butkus Award, presented annually to the nation's top collegiate linebacker.

Timber Creek High School congratulated Campbell on social media.

"Our guy is now a Philadelphia Eagle!!Congratulations Jihaad!! We are so proud of you! Welcome home!" the Facebook post said.