On Friday, the Eagles added to their five-player draft class, signing 12 rookie free agents. Learn more about the newest Eagles below:
Josh Blackwell, CB, Duke
5-11, 183 pounds
In 37 games, the 5-foot-11, 183-pound Blackwell totaled 96 tackles and 20 pass breakups to go with 25 punt returns for 230 yards. He started 11 games as a senior and tied for the team lead with seven pass breakups. A two-sport athlete at Buford High School in Georgia, he lettered in football and track, leading the football team to a state title as a sophomore. Blackwell, who turned 23 in April, leaves Duke with two degrees, having earned his bachelor's in public policy in May 2020 and his master's in management studies in December 2021.
Reed Blankenship, S, MTSU
6-1, 203 pounds
A three-year captain at Middle Tennessee State, the 6-foot-1, 203-pound Blankenship became the program's all-time leading tackler in 2021. In his final season, the 23-year-old started all 13 games, playing a team-high 1,030 snaps and earning the team's Defensive Ironman of the Year Award. He also racked up 110 tackles to go with a career-best 10.0 TFLs, nine pass breakups, and three fumble recoveries. Off the field, he was named to the conference All-Academic Team.
Kennedy Brooks, RB, Oklahoma
5-11, 209 pounds
Though he was part of a crowded Oklahoma running backs room that at various points included Rodney Anderson, Trey Sermon, and Rhamondre Stevenson, the 5-foot-11, 209-pound Brooks became the fourth player in school history to post three 1,000-yard rushing seasons. After sitting out the 2020 season due to COVID concerns, he returned as a senior to post career highs in rushing yards (1,253) and touchdowns (13). In three seasons, the 23-year-old back averaged 7 yards per rush on 472 career carries.
Britain Covey, WR, Utah
5-8, 169 pounds
A high school quarterback who led his team to back-to-back state titles, Covey transitioned to receiver at Utah, earning Freshman All-American honors in 2015 before taking a two-year hiatus for a mission trip to Chile. Upon returning in 2018, the 5-foot-8, 169-pound receiver earned First-Team All-Pac-12 honors for his special teams contributions. Over the course of his career, the 25-year-old return specialist set the school record for career punt return yards (1,092) and ranks in the top three in program history in career punt returns (92), receptions (184), and all-purpose yards (4,241). In addition to his athletic achievements, Covey is a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-District and All-American.
William Dunkle, OL, San Diego State
6-5, 328 pounds
A left tackle in high school, the 6-foot-5, 328-pound Dunkle made the move to right guard at San Diego State, starting 30 games at the position in the Aztecs' run-heavy scheme. The 22-year-old didn't allow a single sack over the course of his career, earning Second-Team All-American and First-Team All-Mountain West honors in 2021. A 14-game starter in his final season, he played 920 of the team's 967 offensive snaps.
Noah Elliss, DT, Idaho
6-4, 346 pounds
The adopted brother of Eagles linebacker Christian Elliss, the 6-foot-4, 346-pound nose tackle was a three-year starter at Idaho. Having overcome adversity in the form of a season-ending knee injury in 2019 and a COVID-shortened season in 2020, the 23-year-old put together the best statistical campaign of his career this past season. Averaging more than 40 defensive snaps per game, he racked up 46 tackles, including 6.5 tackles for loss, earning Honorable Mention All-Big Sky honors. A former three-star recruit, he played for his adopted father and former NFL defensive tackle, Luther Elliss, while with the Vandals.
Ali Fayad, LB, Western Michigan
6-2, 250 pounds
The 22-year-old Dearborn, Michigan, native was the MAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2021 after recording 13 sacks, 17 tackles for loss, and 40 total tackles. He graded out as one of the top pass rushers (14th among players who played 50 percent of pass rush snaps) in all of college football this past season, according to Pro Football Focus. Fayad also ranked 12th in the nation in pass-rush win percentage, according to PFF. Fayad finished his WMU career with 33.5 career sacks, the third most in school history.
Mario Goodrich, CB, Clemson
6-0, 176 pounds
Voted a team captain in 2021, the 6-foot, 176-pound Goodrich enjoyed a breakout senior season, racking up 48 tackles, nine pass breakups, and two interceptions on his way to First-Team All-ACC honors. Named the MVP of the 2021 Cheez-It Bowl, he recorded a pick-6 before forcing a key fumble on fourth down with 33 seconds remaining to help Clemson hold off a late rally by Iowa State. A 16-game starter, the 22-year-old also has experience as a gunner on punt coverage.
Josh Jobe, CB, Alabama
5-11, 182 pounds
Part of an Alabama recruiting class that included Patrick Surtain II and Jalyn Armour-Davis, Jobe amassed 129 tackles, 18 pass breakups, and three picks in his Tide career. From Miami, the 5-foot-11, 182-pound corner saw his first significant playing time in the 2018 National Championship Game, when an injury to Saivion Smith forced him into action. A two-year starter, the 24-year-old enjoyed his most impressive statistical season in 2020, registering 55 tackles, 11 pass breakups, and two forced fumbles, while helping the Tide win a title.
Josh Sills, OL, Oklahoma State
6-6, 322 pounds
Having earned a reputation as a versatile athlete, the 6-foot-6, 322-pound Sills has started at each of the five offensive line spots (34 LG, 6 RG, 5 RT, 2 LG, 1 C) over the course of his career. In his final season at West Virginia, he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury and later joined Oklahoma State as a graduate transfer. After earning multiple starts at right tackle, left guard, and left tackle in 2020, the 24-year-old started all 13 games at left guard in 2021, garnering First-Team All-Big 12 honors.
Carson Strong, QB, Nevada
6-3, 226 pounds
A two-time Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year, Strong ranks third in program history in passing yards (9,368) and passing touchdowns (74). Although he was still recovering from a knee injury in 2021, he set the single-season school record with 36 touchdowns, while posting nine 300-yard passing games, most in the conference. Voted a team captain, the 6-foot-3, 226-pound quarterback's 299 consecutive pass attempts without an interception represent the longest streak in program history.
Jarrid Williams, OL, Miami
6-6, 323 pounds
An experienced tackle with excellent size, the 6-foot-6, 323-pound Williams spent five seasons at Houston before graduate transferring to Miami after a medical redshirt in 2019. A 20-game starter with the Hurricanes, he was used primarily at right tackle. The 25-year-old graded out as the fourth-best tackle in the ACC in 2021, per Pro Football Focus. Off the field, he was named to the All-ACC Academic Team, earning his master's degree in liberal studies.
