In fact, he already knows his way around Lincoln Financial Field.
That's because Jaiquawn Jarrett, the safety out of Temple University whom the Eagles picked at No. 54, played his college home games in South Philly for the past four years.
"This right here is one of the greatest situations ever for me," Jarrett said. "I'm staying close to home, so my family is right down the road. I've played in the Eagles' stadium for the past four years, so being able to play for coach (Andy) Reid and the Eagles is a dream come true."
Jarrett, who is from the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, New York, said he had contact with several members of the Eagles during his time on North Broad St. because several players would come to Temple to work out and Andy Reid was a frequent visitor to the Owls' spring games.
But Jarrett had a clue he was on the Eagles' radar after a pre-draft visit with new defensive coordinator Juan Castillo and defensive backs coach Mike Zordich.
"When I met with Coach Castillo and Coach Zordich, they showed me how they use their safeties and their secondary and they told me I'd be a great fit," Jarrett said. "They said the draft is a long shot so you don't know who is going to get you. I'm just grateful and blessed to be an Eagle.
"They came to work me out several times. The whole defensive staff and the special teams coordinator (Bobby April). They saw something in me that other teams didn't see and I really appreciate that staff for that."
Jarrett said that while some teams may have been wary of his 4.65 40-yard dash time at the NFL Combine, others would see past that and instead focus their attention on Jarrett's strong set of intangibles.
"I think a lot of teams shied away from me because of my 40 time," Jarrett said. "That's just to see how fast you can run 40 yards. I know a lot of teams like kids that are natural football players, and that's what Coach Reid saw in me. They didn't focus on my Combine testing. They just saw how great a football player I can become."
Jarrett is known for having good instincts, being physical and providing strong run support from the secondary.
"I'm physical enough to show up in run support and I have enough skills to prevent the deep ball so I think I will excel at playing both," Jarrett said. "At Temple, I did a lot of both. I showed up in run support a lot coming out of the Cover 2 so I played in the half-field a majority of the time and when I had the opportunity to show up in the run game, I made sure my presence was felt."
Jarrett helped transform Temple into a bowl team. Now he wants to help the Eagles reach a bowl of their own.
"I'm going to bring physical toughness and a smart player to the Eagles," Jarrett said. "If they (the fans) haven't seen me play over the last four years, I'm really disciplined. Coach Reid loves disciplined guys that go out there and do whatever it takes to help the team win and that's what I'm all about."
