FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Now, this is not their first rodeo, which makes it all the more exciting to see how the Eagles' 2024 Rookie Class performs against the New England Patriots on Thursday night (7 PM, NBC10 in Philadelphia). They know now the road cadence – the meetings schedule, the night of sleep required, and how to manage the many hours until they report to Gillette Stadium for preseason Game No. 2.

We all saw it on Friday night: Quinyon Mitchell making a play on a pass and nearly coming up with an interception (he knows he should have caught the ball); defensive end Jalyx Hunt playing aggressively and getting to the football on defense and on special teams; running back Will Shipley rushing for 23 yards on seven carries and coming out of the backfield on a wheel route and catching a Kenny Pickett throw for a touchdown; linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. playing the entire field, shedding blocks and reaching the football for a team-high five total tackles, offensive linemen Dylan McMahon and Trevor Keegan helping the Eagles win in the smash-mouth ground game; and receivers Ainias Smith and Johnny Wilson each moved the chains with their receptions.

It was a success in every way for the young Eagles. All the jitters they felt then, well, it all paid off.

"It was dope. It was amazing," said Hunt, who recorded three total tackles on defense and one on special teams. "Practicing against Jordan (Mailata) and Lane (Johnson) every day, that made the transition to the game a whole lot smoother. We've been physical in practice and that's the way it was in the game.

"Now, before the game? Long hours. Late game. Nerves for sure. I didn't sleep the night before. Not at all, up all night. Tossing and turning. Watching film. Could not wait to get to the stadium."

Shipley felt the same, mostly during the day of the game. He said he was "nervous, anxious. Probably the most nervous I've been since I was strapping it on for Pop Warner football as a kid for the first time. It was my first NFL game and I've been dreaming of the moment since I was a kid." Then the game started, he got some touches, quickly jumped into the flow of things, and boom, caught the pass from Pickett, scooted into the end zone and it … was … awesome.

"My first one and as soon as the call came into the huddle, I knew we were going to score," Shipley said. "I told myself, 'See the end of the ball and look it all the way in,' which is why I stumbled a little bit once I got into the end zone because I was so focused on that football. It was a dream come true for me.

"I made sure to toss the ball to the ballboy and asked him to keep it for me and they put it in my locker for me after the game. I'll frame that and it will be something that I show my kids when I get older. Seriously, it's something that I'll remember for the rest of my life."

As the Eagles prepare for Thursday night and the game against New England, so much has changed for this Rookie Class. They've been through the day-of-game routine. They were very much a part of the joint practice against the Patriots on Tuesday. They understand that this football game is another chance to win a roster spot and maybe push for roles when the regular season begins.

Everything is step by step and the first preseason game was a biggie for all of them. But none of them are where they want to be – just how high is a player's ceiling?

"Nowhere close," Hunt said. "I've improved a lot and every day is a good step, but I'm chasing people in my room. I want to help this team win games and I want to be at my very best – how to use my hands, my get-off, all of that. I'm just starting to learn all about this game."

More learning comes on Thursday night. School is in session once again for the new kids in the classroom.