Alabama's two 2025 1st round picks show out in NFL debuts in Cowboys-Eagles

The NFL season kicked off on Thursday night with the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles hosting the Dallas Cowboys.. It was also the NFL debuts for Alabama's two first round picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, OG Tyler Booker and LB Jihaad Campbell.

After one game, both the Cowboys and Eagles are more than satisfied with their choices.

The Cowboys used the 12th overall pick on Booker back in April, a choice many questioned at the time because of Booker playing a non-premium position. He rewarded their faith immediately, however, and Dallas was able to get back toward the power run identity that they made them successful a few years ago.

Booker helped the Cowboys power to 119 rushing yards against the stout Eagles defense, on a 5.4 yards per carry average clip. It helped that star DT Jalen Carter was ejected before the first snap of the season, but I'm sure deep down Booker was a little disappointed because he had specifically mentioned wanting to match up against him.

Social media came away impressed with Booker's debut:

Jihaad Campbell made the play of the game for the Eagles

Jihaad Campbell fell all the way to pick No. 31 in the draft due to some concerns he might not be immediately ready to play because of a lingering injury from his time at Alabama. That proved to be foolish as Campbell started Week 1 in the middle of the Eagles' defense, with Philly once again getting a draft steal.

Campbell had a strong game, finishing with three total tackles, a forced fumble, and a pass breakup. He made two key plays that helped Philadelphia secure a four point win over Dallas.

The first came as he ran stride-for-stride with a Cowboys tight end down the seam and broke up a pass from Dak Prescott:

Later on the same drive, Campbell made the play of the game. With the Eagles leading 24-20, the Cowboys were driving late in the third quarter to potentially take the lead. Inside the redzone, Campbell stripped the ball from Miles Sanders to force a fumble that the Eagles recovered to turn Dallas away.

Another Alabama player was in on that play, too, with former Tide DL Byron Young assisting on that tackle; he could have easily gotten credit for the forced fumble, too.

That play turned out to be even bigger than it looked at the time. The Eagles held on for a 24-20 win.

It's just one game, but both Booker and Campbell were as advertised in their NFL debuts.