To say the Eagles have had success signing UDFA would be an understamentet. The following list includes the all-time points leader in franchise history, a player who had a major motion picture made about their journey, and the heroics of a local kid turned Super Bowl winner.
1-David Akers:
Most positions can be debated as to who is the greatest of all time. No such debate exists for who the greatest kicker in Eagles history is.
The pride of Louisville holds the Eagles franchise record for points with 1,323. He was also voted to five Pro Bowls and named a kicker on the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 2000s.
Akers is 13th in NFL history with 1,721.
David was also tough. In 2005, he pulled his hamstring on the opening kickoff against Oakland. He fell to the ground in obvious pain, and no one expected to see him again for a while. But, in the final minute of the game, he limped back onto the field when he was needed and kicked the game-winning field goal. If he hadn’t done so already, he earned the respect of his teammates, and the fans, for his grit and determination that afternoon.
“I never want anyone to think I’m trying to wimp out,”
Akers is the first, and only, kicker inducted into the Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame.
2-Herman Edwards:
Herman joined the Eagles in 1977 as an undrafted rookie out of San Diego State. By opening day, he had earned his role as the starter. Edwards started every game (135) during his nine-year career as the starting cornerback. Herman had 33 regular-season interceptions and added 5 more during the postseason.
Edwards was a member of the 1980 Super Bowl team, but he will always be remembered for his game-winning fumble recovery that he returned for a touchdown in the famous “Miracle at the Meadowlands” in 1978.
3- Greg Brown:
The Eagles signed Brown and invited him to training camp for the 1981 season.
A surprise to make the team, Greg ended up playing in Philadelphia for six seasons (1981–86). During a dominant 4 year span between the 1983 and 86 seasons, Greg had 46.5 sacks, including his career-high 16 in 1984.
Brown finished his career as an Eagle with 50.5 sacks, which ranks sixth in team history.
Brown’s 16 sacks during that 1984 season are tied with James Harrison as most in NFL history by an undrafted player.
4-Chad Lewis:
Chad currently holds the record for most catches by an undrafted player in Eagles history. Lewis hauled in 228 receptions for 2349 yards and 23 touchdowns during the regular season. That record may stand for some time. Those numbers were also enough to earn Lewis 3 consecutive pro bowl seasons.
Chad also showed up when it mattered the most. He reeled in 38 post-season catches for 409 yards and 3 touchdowns. His last post-season catch as an Eagle was during the NFC championship game in January 2005 versus the Atlanta Falcons. Lewis caught his second touchdown of the game in the fourth quarter, which essentially sealed the win and punched the Eagle’s ticket into their first Super Bowl since the 1980 season. Unfortunately, he suffered a Lisfranc injury during the play. He still celebrated from the ground, but he knew he was injured. He only had 5 more receptions in his career.
5- Andre Waters:
Waters made the Eagles in 1984 as an undrafted kick returner out of Cheney State. By 1986 he had secured his role as a starting safety, which he kept through the 1993 season.
During his ten-year career with Philadelphia, he had 15 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles, and 910 tackles. He played with a violence that made him a favorite with the fans, and a nightmare for opposing offenses. Opposing players went over the middle with extreme caution and the knowledge that Andre was lurking to land a vicious hit.
Andre was named to the 1991 all-pro team and also holds the record for most games played in Eagles history by a UDFA. The Eagle’s “Gang Green” defense he was a part of is still remembered as one of the best in NFL history.
Waters died in 2006 due to suicide. A study of his brain revealed that he suffered from CTE. Andre and the condition he suffered from got worldwide recognition when the Will Smith movie, Concussion, was released. The findings from Andre Waters played a large role in acknowledging CTE as a serious danger and risk for players at all levels of the sport.
Hollis is one of the most fun-loving and out-spoken characters in Eagles history. Thomas arrived in Philadelphia in 1996 and spent the first 10 of his 14 NFL seasons with the Birds, starting 95 games. Which is second-most by an undrafted defensive player in Eagles history behind Andre Waters.
As a five-year starter, Thomas had 13.5 sacks during his Eagles career but is best known as a premier run-stopper with 316 tackles.
Hollis made a game-changing red zone sack in the 2004 NFC championship game right before halftime that Andy Reid attributed to being one of the biggest stops in the game.
“I didn’t know how big that play actually was until Coach (Reid) told me. Because if they had scored a touchdown there, the game’s a little different going into halftime. I felt like that was one of my biggest plays.”
7- Quinten Mikell
Signed as a UDFA in 2003, Quinten spent four years exclusively as a special teams player. A role he excelled in. Mikell was voted the special teams MVP in both 2005 and 2006 by his teammates.
Quentin took over the starting safety job in 2007 and kept it through the 2010 season. While playing the position, he was a 2x second team all-pro and a 2009 Pro Bowler.
Mikell also was a member of the Super Bowl 39 team where he played behind Michael Lewis and Brian Dawkins. When Brian Dawkins left after the 2008 season, Quentin became one of the most vocal team leaders.
8- Jamaal Jackson:
Jamaal was an undrafted free agent out of Delaware State. Jackson spent his first season with the team on the practice squad but was called to duty when starting center Hank Fraley (also undrafted) was injured midway through the 2005 season. Jamaal took over the position and kept the job through 2009.
Jackson started 72 games for the Eagles and earned Sports Illustrated all-pro honors in 2006.
9- Ken Clarke
Ken signed with the Eagles as an undrafted player in 1978 and carved out a 14-year career, 10 with Philadelphia. He became a full-time starter in 1982 and amassed 32.5 sacks during his time in Philly, including a career-high 10.5 sacks in 1984
Clarke proved himself to be a very durable player and missed just four games during his 10 seasons in Philadelphia. He currently holds the 13th spot on the all-time Eagles sack list.
10- Corey Clement:
If not for a guy you may have heard of, Nick Foles, winning the most valuable player award in Super Bowl 52, Corey Clement was more than likely next in line for that prestigious award. Those Super Bowl heroics alone, are enough for him to be on this list.
Corey reeled in 4 catches totaling 100 yards and scored a touchdown on an amazing catch during the biggest game in Eagles history. For a local guy to play on the team he grew up rooting for and end up being one of the most valuable for the team, in that game, is an amazing feat.
Without his remarkable play, the Eagles may not win their first championship and have that celebration down Broad street.
While compiling this list I came across so many players worthy of mentioning, that I felt compelled to add 2 more in their own categories.
Most famous undrafted Eagle of all time- Vince Papale:
Perhaps the most famous UDFA of all time. When you get a movie made about you starring Mark Wahlberg, you make the list. His improbable achievement of making the squad is as legendary in Philadelphia as another beloved underdog, Rocky Balboa.
In 1976, then Eagles head coach, Dick Vermeil announced he would hold open tryouts in an attempt to improve the roster.
A local Interboro High School teacher by the name of Vince Papale decided to give it his best shot.
“I was a season ticket holder and I’d sit in the stands and go, ‘You know, I could do this given the chance.’ I never thought I’d get the chance and darned if I didn’t. Thank God that Dick Vermeil gave me the opportunity and I was in perfect position as a school teacher at Interboro High School. I took a leave of absence and they said, ‘Go chase it.’ I chased it.”
Not only did he chase it, but he also made it. A player found right off the street who never played college football lasted 3 seasons with the Birds as a special teams player, he also was named a member of the Eagles’ 75th-anniversary team.
Best UDFA I never saw, Bucko Kilroy:
Not in my top ten due to having played decades before I was born, but I’d be remiss to not mention him. Bucko signed with the Eagles as an undrafted free agent during the 1943 season, which was the year the Eagles and Steelers merged to form the “Steagles”
Kilroy was both an offensive and defensive lineman for the Eagles and even with his double duty, he only missed one game during his career. Bucko was named to 3 pro bowls and was also a member of the 1940s all-decade team.
Bucko was also a member of the Eagles’ 1948 and 1949 championship teams.
Will Devon Allen, Britain Covey, or anyone else from the 2022 undrafted free agent class ever make the list?
As this exercise has proven, you never know when or where the talent is going to rise from.
As always, Thank you for reading!
David
Follow me @PHLEagleNews
7/17/22