Saquon Barkley Just Named Philly’s “Next Micah” - “That Rookie’s Built Like Trouble”
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Philadelphia, PA – August, 2025
In today’s NFL, being compared to Micah Parsons means something. It’s not just praise — it’s a warning. A warning that a player isn’t just good; he’s disruptive. He’s a problem. And if you’re a rookie for the Philadelphia Eagles, it’s the kind of label that makes people sit up and pay attention.
This week, that attention turned toward Jihaad Campbell — a young, raw, explosive linebacker out of Alabama. But the endorsement didn’t come from a scout or a talking head on cable TV. It came from Saquon Barkley.
Yes, that Saquon Barkley — the two-time Pro Bowler, the face of Penn State football, and the newest weapon in Philly’s offensive arsenal.
“He’s super raw — like freaky athletic,” Barkley told reporters. “I think he’s going to be a real problem in this league. Blocking him, matching up with him… he’s got that kind of build. Kinda like Micah.”
And Barkley would know. He’s seen Micah Parsons up close. He’s tried to run past him. He knows what it feels like to deal with that kind of rare explosiveness coming off the edge or up the gut.
“Micah’s different,” Barkley continued. “But Jihaad? He’s got that body type. Long, fast, physical. Just needs to learn a few things — but once he does, he’s going to make life hell for people.”
Campbell has already made waves at camp for his aggressiveness — sometimes a little too much. Barkley joked that coaches are still working on getting him to ease up on the red-jersey players during non-contact drills.
“He’s just wired that way right now. We’d rather have to slow him down than speed him up,” Barkley said with a grin. “He’s asking a lot of questions — talking to me, to Zach, to other vets. Always trying to find an edge.”
What makes the praise even more powerful is that it comes from someone who’s not just watching from the sidelines. Barkley has gone head-to-head with Campbell all summer — and each rep tells a story. One of raw talent. One of upside. One of a potential defensive star finding his feet in the Eagles system.
For a team that’s trying to reload after a deep postseason run, this kind of breakout potential couldn’t come at a better time. The Eagles defense has gotten younger, faster, and hungrier — and Campbell is at the heart of it.
Sure, he’s not Micah Parsons yet. But the fact that his name is even being mentioned in the same breath? That’s enough to light a fire in Philly — and maybe start a few nightmares across the NFC East.
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