JJ Arcega-Whiteside and Alshon Jeffery have a lot in common besides there prowess for making football-related plays look like a highlight from an NBA game. The former Stanford star grew up watching and idolizing a fellow South Carolina native Alshon Jeffery and told Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Inquirer that he looks forward to “learning” from the former Gamecocks All American.
“I’m looking forward to it. He’s from South Carolina, I grew up watching him. He’s been very dominant in the league,” Arcega-Whiteside said. “Being able to look at him, up close and personal, on the field, and watch how he does things, emulate those things, is going to be great for me, as a player and a person.
“We’ve been in contact … . I know for sure that he’s going to lead me in the right direction.”
The two are similar in their build, as the Eagles list Arcega-Whiteside at 6-2, 225 while Jeffery, is listed at 6-3, 218. Depending on how things go for Jeffery statistically this season, Alshon could essentially be mentoring the guy brought in to take his place. Alshon Jeffery is slated to make $15,975,000 in 2020 according to Over The Cap and with Carson Wentz slated to make $23 million next season and Arcega-Whiteside on the second year of his rookie deal, a changing of the guard could be coming.
Ironically, the Eagles will utilize Arcega-Whiteside heavily in their red zone offense, similar to how the Chicago Bears utilized Jeffery his rookie year.
