Caption for “Bulldog Brotherhood Grows: What Smael Mondon Jr. Brings to the Eagles’ Georgia-Fueled Defense”

On April 27, 2025, the Philadelphia Eagles continued their love affair with Georgia Bulldogs, drafting linebacker Smael Mondon Jr. with the 161st overall pick in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Mondon, a three-year starter at Georgia, joins a defense already stacked with Bulldogs like Jalen Carter, Nakobe Dean, and Nolan Smith, making him the eighth Georgia player on the roster. This move further solidifies Philly’s reputation for building a Georgia-fueled defense.

Mondon, a 6-foot-2, 224-pound linebacker, brings elite athleticism to the Eagles. With a 9.42 RAS score and an 80-inch wingspan, he’s a sideline-to-sideline playmaker, amassing 201 tackles and three sacks over three seasons at Georgia. A 2022 National Champion, Mondon led the Bulldogs with 76 tackles that year. Analysts like Dane Brugler praise his “read-react quickness” and “open-field acceleration,” though he needs to improve his run defense instincts to reach his full potential as a four-down linebacker.

The Eagles, who boasted the NFL’s top-ranked defense in 2024, see Mondon as a rotational piece and special teams contributor. He shone at the Senior Bowl, flashing coverage skills and blitzing ability, which could make him a valuable asset against mobile quarterbacks like Jayden Daniels. Mondon expressed excitement about reuniting with his Georgia teammates, saying in a press conference, “It feels like home with so many Dawgs here.”

Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio now has a plethora of young talent to mold, and Mondon’s versatility aligns with the Eagles’ aggressive, physical style. While he’s not expected to start immediately behind Nakobe Dean, his upside suggests he could carve out a role. As the Eagles aim for another Super Bowl in 2025, Mondon’s addition strengthens an already formidable defense.