The Eagles selected linebacker Mychal Kendricks from the University of California with the 46th overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft much to the surprise of the 2011 Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year.
Kendricks said he was unaware the Eagles were planning to draft him. He met with the team at the NFL Scouting Combine in February but had received no other indication that he was in their plans.
An inside linebacker at Cal, Kendricks impressed scouts at the Combine. He was clocked at 4.47 seconds in the 40-yard dash, which was the fastest 40-yard time. His vertical leap was measured at 39.5 inches. Head coach Andy Reid said that Kendricks will start out on the strong side. Kendricks is confident his abilities will translate to any spot in the linebacking corps.
"I can play anywhere I need to play. I feel like I'm versatile," Kendricks said.
Kendricks was considered undersized by some scouts at 5-11 and 239 pounds, but he said his size has never been a problem. For fans who haven't seen him play before, Kendricks described himself as a high-energy player that doesn't take plays off and said he is a strong tackler.
"I just play big," he said. "(My size has) never been an issue for me so I don't see why it would be an issue for anyone else."
In 2011, Kendricks recorded 88 tackles and two interceptions. He finished his career at Cal with 258 tackles, 36.5 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks.
While he doesn't know fellow Cal alumni DeSean Jackson or Nnamdi Asomugha personally, Kendricks said he is eager to play with them and the rest of the Eagles.
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