Undersized, Unshaken: Eagles Rookie Says ‘I’m the Biggest Out There’ Despite 5’10” Frame!

In the brutal world of NFL football, size often dictates opportunity. But for Philadelphia Eagles rookie cornerback Mac McWilliams, standing 5-foot-10 and weighing 190 pounds isn’t a limitation—it’s a mindset challenge he’s already conquered.

Selected in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, McWilliams entered the league as one of its most overlooked prospects. After 144 names had already been called, the Eagles chose the feisty corner from Central Florida, not because of his measurables, but because of his grit, instincts, and relentless drive.

“I don’t really think about it,” McWilliams said when asked about his size during rookie minicamp. “I go out there with the same mindset—that I’m the biggest out there. That’s how I feel.”

That attitude isn’t just talk. It’s been the story of his life. Raised in Pensacola, Florida, McWilliams was always the smaller player on the field, even during his days as a defensive standout at Pine Forest High School. But his production—121 tackles, 11 interceptions, and five pick-sixes in two years—demanded attention.

He carried that chip through college, first at UAB, where he became a team captain and playmaker, then to Central Florida, where he emerged as the Knights’ top-graded defender in 2024, per Pro Football Focus. His film showed the same fire that caught the Eagles’ eye: sharp instincts, quick feet, and the willingness to tackle bigger players without hesitation.

“I’ve always been the littlest guy,” he admitted. “So just having the right mindset and taking everything for what it is. All my life I knew I’d be undersized, I knew I wasn’t going to grow as much as I wanted to. So I always had that dawg in me.”

That “dawg” has landed him right in the mix in Philadelphia’s secondary. Though he’s expected to compete for a slot role behind Cooper DeJean, McWilliams took snaps on the outside during the team’s initial walkthrough. He’s already shown flashes of competitiveness, referencing past showdowns with top prospects like Travis Hunter and Tet McMillan as proof of his readiness.

“I think I did great,” he said with confidence. “I don’t back down from nobody.”

In a crowded cornerback room featuring Quinyon Mitchell, Adoree Jackson, and Kelee Ringo, McWilliams knows the odds. But odds have never defined him. Mindset has. And to him, that’s what makes him the biggest man on the field.

Philadelphia may have just found its next underdog story—and fans should be watching.