In a pivotal move that underscores their commitment to defensive resurgence, the Philadelphia Eagles selected safety Andrew Mukuba in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, adding a dynamic, versatile, and intelligent playmaker to their secondary. Mukuba, a former Clemson standout who finished his collegiate career at Texas, brings a unique combination of athleticism, football IQ, and physicality that could reshape the Eagles’ defensive identity in the post-C.J. Gardner-Johnson era.
Draft Day Surprise: The Mukuba Pick
The Eagles used the 64th overall pick to acquire Mukuba, a player who had once been projected as a top-40 selection earlier in the draft cycle but saw his stock fluctuate due to concerns over durability and positional fit. However, none of that deterred general manager Howie Roseman and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. Both men see Mukuba not just as a safety, but as a chess piece capable of lining up anywhere in the defensive backfield.
“This guy can play deep, he can play in the box, he can play nickel. He’s fearless, he’s smart, and he’s only going to get better,” said Fangio shortly after the selection was announced. “We see a lot of versatility and toughness in him.”
From Zimbabwe to the NFL: Mukuba’s Remarkable Journey
Andrew Mukuba’s journey to the NFL is a compelling story of resilience and ambition. Born in Harare, Zimbabwe, he moved with his family to Austin, Texas, when he was just nine years old. Transitioning from one continent to another, learning a new culture, and adapting to a vastly different lifestyle didn’t come easily. But sports—especially football—gave him a sense of purpose and belonging.
He quickly excelled at Lyndon B. Johnson High School in Austin, where he emerged as one of the top defensive backs in the state. A four-star recruit, Mukuba received offers from powerhouse programs including Alabama, LSU, and Texas, but ultimately chose Clemson, citing the Tigers’ culture and defensive pedigree as key factors.
Clemson Days and Defensive Breakthrough
Mukuba made an immediate impact at Clemson. In 2021, he became the first true freshman to start at safety in a season opener for the Tigers since the 1970s. He recorded 47 tackles, 2 pass breakups, and an interception that year—good enough to earn him ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.
Over the next two seasons, Mukuba continued to show promise but battled injuries and inconsistency in a Clemson defense that had lost much of its star power. Seeking a fresh start, he transferred to the University of Texas for his final year of eligibility. The decision proved pivotal.
Rebirth in Burnt Orange
At Texas, Mukuba thrived under the leadership of head coach Steve Sarkisian and defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski. He started every game for the Longhorns in 2024, compiling 62 tackles, 5 interceptions, and 11 pass breakups while helping Texas reach the College Football Playoff.
His ability to process plays before they developed, bait quarterbacks into risky throws, and cover elite slot receivers in man-to-man coverage put him back on the radar of NFL scouts. “He’s a student of the game,” said Sarkisian. “He’s always in the film room, always asking the right questions. He elevated our entire secondary.”
Why the Eagles Needed Mukuba
Coming off a disappointing 2024 campaign, the Eagles’ defense was in dire need of reinforcements—particularly in the secondary. While the team boasted a fearsome pass rush led by Haason Reddick and Jalen Carter, their pass defense ranked among the league’s worst. Miscommunication, blown coverages, and an inability to generate turnovers plagued a unit that lacked consistency on the back end.
The trade of C.J. Gardner-Johnson to the Houston Texans further compounded the issue. Gardner-Johnson had brought swagger, versatility, and playmaking ability to the Eagles’ secondary. Replacing that kind of impact required a special talent.
Enter Andrew Mukuba.
Though not a like-for-like replacement, Mukuba brings similar versatility and an even higher football IQ, according to some analysts. He’s capable of playing deep safety in Cover-2 or Cover-3 schemes, dropping into the box in run support, or sliding into the slot to cover shifty receivers and tight ends. His tackling technique, instincts, and leadership make him an ideal candidate to start immediately.
Skill Set: What Mukuba Brings to the Table
Standing at 5’11” and 186 pounds, Mukuba isn’t the biggest safety in the league, but he compensates with elite agility and explosive speed. His 40-yard dash time of 4.45 seconds places him comfortably among the fastest safeties in the draft. He has the lateral quickness to mirror receivers in space and the straight-line speed to close on deep routes.
Scouting reports highlight several strengths:
- Coverage Versatility: Mukuba has shown the ability to excel in both man and zone schemes.
- Football IQ: He reads quarterbacks exceptionally well, rarely bites on double moves, and understands route combinations.
- Physicality: Despite his size, Mukuba plays with an edge. He’s a willing tackler and rarely shies away from contact.
- Leadership: Coaches and teammates routinely praised his work ethic and communication skills.
The one concern? His durability. Mukuba missed time during his sophomore season at Clemson due to a shoulder injury and battled minor ankle and hamstring issues throughout college. The Eagles’ medical staff did extensive evaluations before clearing the pick.
How Mukuba Fits Into Vic Fangio’s Defense
Fangio’s defense is built on disguise, matchup flexibility, and deep safety rotations. He loves deploying safeties who can wear multiple hats—blitzing off the edge, playing single-high, or defending tight ends. Mukuba fits that bill.
In Fangio’s ideal world, Mukuba and Reed Blankenship will form a complementary duo: Mukuba the quick-reacting hybrid capable of playing down in the slot, and Blankenship as the deeper enforcer with range and tackling prowess. Add in Sydney Brown—another young safety with upside—and the Eagles suddenly have a youth-infused safety corps with high ceilings.
“We’re going to let these guys compete,” Fangio noted after the draft. “We’re not handing out jobs. But Mukuba’s going to push for snaps right away.”
Building a Defensive Core
Mukuba is just one piece of the Eagles’ 2025 draft overhaul on defense. The team also selected:
- Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama – A sideline-to-sideline linebacker with elite instincts.
- Ty Robinson, DT, Nebraska – A 300-pound space eater who can anchor against the run.
- Smael Mondon Jr., LB, Georgia – An athletic freak with untapped pass-rushing potential.
The strategy was clear: get younger, faster, and more dynamic on defense. With aging veterans moving on and recent struggles on that side of the ball, Roseman and head coach Nick Sirianni knew that the Eagles’ window to contend would require a reload—not a rebuild.
Mukuba could end up being the most impactful piece of that puzzle.
High Expectations and Immediate Pressure
There’s no easing into the NFL when you’re a second-round pick expected to fill the shoes of a Pro Bowl-caliber safety. Mukuba will enter rookie minicamp with high expectations from coaches, fans, and media alike. The Eagles faithful are known for their passion—and scrutiny.
But Mukuba has never been one to shy away from the spotlight. From navigating international immigration as a child to starring at two top-tier college programs, he’s proven time and again that pressure only sharpens his focus.
“I’ve worked my whole life for this opportunity,” Mukuba said during his introductory press conference. “I’m ready to show Philly what I’m made of.”
The Final Word
The addition of Andrew Mukuba to the Philadelphia Eagles is more than just a draft selection—it’s a calculated investment in the team’s future. With his blend of athleticism, intelligence, and positional flexibility, Mukuba has the potential to become a cornerstone in Vic Fangio’s evolving defense.
If he stays healthy and continues to develop, Mukuba could very well become the next great Eagles safety—a successor to Brian Dawkins, Malcolm Jenkins, and C.J. Gardner-Johnson.
Philadelphia has long been a city that respects toughness, grit, and intelligence on the football field. In Andrew Mukuba, the Eagles may have just found all three.