When Andrew Mukuba was taken by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2025 NFL Draft, he became reunited with former Clemson teammates Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and Will Shipley.

Of course, Mukuba spent three seasons at Clemson before transferring to Texas for his fourth and final college campaign in 2024. Mukuba, Trotter and Shipley were all members of Clemson’s 2021 recruiting class, and they played together with the Tigers from 2021-23.

Trotter and Shipley were each drafted by the Eagles in 2024, and Mukuba said he heard from them after he was selected by Philadelphia in the second round of last week’s draft (No. 64 overall pick).

 “They were two that also reached out to me as well,” Mukuba said during his first Eagles press conference. “Those are the guys I came in my freshman year with at Clemson. Trotter was my roommate, matter of fact, when I got there.

“So, it was kind of cool for everything to go full circle, and now I’m fixing to be on the same defense with Trotter, on the same team with Will Shipley. So, it’s amazing to already have people that I’ve already known here, kind of help me and guide me when I get here to get everything figured out.”

Mukuba’s Clemson/Eagles connections don’t stop there.

The 5-foot-11, 186-pound safety is set to play the same position for the same franchise that Clemson and Eagles legend Brian Dawkins spent the majority of his Hall of Fame career with.

While at Clemson, Mukuba got to know Dawkins, a nine-time Pro Bowler who is a beloved figure both in Tiger Town and the City of Brotherly Love.

“They love Brian Dawkins in Clemson,” Mukuba said. “He used to always come by a lot in Clemson. Had a few good conversations with him. But yeah, I’ve had conversations with him, seen him a lot when I was in Clemson. But he’s good people.”

“I know they love him here (in Philadelphia) too,” Mukuba added. “I done seen his picture on the wall and everything. I know they love him here. How could you not?”

In his three-year Clemson career, Mukuba totaled 149 tackles (4.5 for loss), one sack, 20 pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and an interception over 35 games (31 starts).

Mukuba enjoyed a successful return home to the Lone Star State last season, earning third-team All-SEC honors in his lone season as a Longhorn. In 15 games, the Austin, Texas, native collected 69 tackles (4.0 for loss), six pass breakups, a forced fumble and a career-high five interceptions.