NFL preseason roundup: Rookie defensive backs fill up the stat sheet

Published On: August 27, 2025

On Friday night, as the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Jets wrapped up their preseason schedules, two rookie defensive backs with Alabama football roots dominated the stat sheet.

With 3:07 remaining in the game, Philadelphia stopped a 2-point conversion run to win 19–17.

Mac McWilliams, a former UAB defensive back, began his Eagles career at cornerback. McWilliams recovered one fumble, broke up one pass, recorded one tackle for loss, and made two tackles.

With 5:56 remaining in the third quarter, McWilliams returned the fumble recovery nine yards to the New York 23-yard line. Philadelphia took a 16-3 advantage after converting the takeaway into a field goal.

Malachi Moore, a scholastic standout at Hewitt-Trussville before attending Alabama, began his Jets career as a safety. Moore recorded one tackle for loss, intercepted a pass, made six defensive tackles, and had one special teams tackle.

With 2:32 remaining in the first half, Moore intercepted a deep pass from Philadelphia quarterback Kyle McCord at the New York 20-yard line.

On April 26, Moore joined the Jets in the fourth round of the NFL Draft, while McWilliams joined the Eagles in the fifth round.

In Friday night’s other NFL preseason games:

Atlanta outgained Dallas 332-285 in yardage, but the Cowboys took a 31-13 victory with the help of two interceptions, including one by fifth-round rookie Shemar James, a former prep star at Faith Academy in Mobile.

Tennessee quarterback Cam Ward, the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, ran two series, with the second going 90 yards in 13 plays for a touchdown, in the Titans 23-13 victory over the Minnesota Vikings. Ward completed 3-of-4 passes for 36 yards.
The Chicago Bears scored 19 points in the fourth quarter but couldn t catch Kansas City, which had No. 1 QB Patrick Mahomes direct three touchdown drives to open the 29-27 victory for the Chiefs.

During Friday night’s NFL preseason games, 25 athletes from Alabama’s high schools and universities on the field alongside McWilliams and Moore:

NY Jets 17, Philadelphia Eagles 19.

Jakorian Bennett (McGill-Toolen) started at cornerback for the Eagles. Bennett broke up five tackles and broke up one pass.
Eagles safety Reed Blankenship (West Limestone) did not play.
Eagles linebacker Jihaad Campbell (Alabama) did not play.
Jets defensive tackle Byron Cowart (Auburn) did not play.
Eagles guard Landon Dickerson (Alabama) did not play.
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (Alabama) did not play.
Eagles tight end Cameron Latu (Alabama) was targeted once and did not have a reception. But he did make four tackles on special teams.
John Metchie III (Alabama) started at wide receiver for the Eagles after practicing with the team for the first time on Tuesday. Philadelphia obtained Metchie in a trade with the Houston Texans. Metchie had a 14-yard reception.
Eagles running back ShunDerrick Powell (North Alabama) had one rushing attempt that lost 4 yards.
Jets wide receiver Jamaal Pritchett (Jackson, South Alabama) had four receptions for 54 yards and returned three punts for 63 yards, including a 41-yarder.
Eagles cornerback Eli Ricks (Alabama) made three tackles on defense and one tackle on special teams.
Eagles defensive end Jereme Robinson (Carver-Montgomery) did not record any stats. Robinson signed with Philadelphia on Friday.
Eagles running back Keilan Robinson (Alabama) ran for 23 yards on nine carries.
Eagles defensive tackle Justin Rogers (Auburn) did not record any stats.
Jets linebacker Jamien Sherwood (Auburn) did not play.
Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (Alabama) did not play.
Eagles guard Tyler Steen (Alabama) did not play.
Jets linebacker Quincy Williams (Wenonah) did not play.
Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams (Wenonah, Alabama) did not play.
Byron Young (Alabama) started at defensive tackle for the Eagles. Young made two tackles and recorded one tackle for loss.

Minnesota Vikings 13, Tennessee Titans 23

Vikings defensive lineman Jonathan Allen (Alabama) did not play.
Vikings defensive lineman Travis Bell (Jeff Davis) made one tackle.
Vikings punter Oscar Chapman (Auburn) did not record any stats.
Vikings center Ryan Kelly (Alabama) did not play.
Austin Keys (Auburn) started at linebacker for the Vikings. Keys made four tackles and recorded one sack.
Titans offensive tackle J.C. Latham (Alabama) did not play.
Vikings wide receiver Robert Lewis (Auburn) had a 13-yard reception.
Vikings linebacker Dorian Mausi (Auburn) made three tackles.
Roger McCreary (Williamson, Auburn) started at cornerback for the Titans. McCreary broke up one pass.
Titans nose tackle Isaiah Raikes (Auburn) did not play.
Vikings kicker Will Reichard (Hoover, Alabama) made field goals of 42 and 58 yards and missed attempts from 63 and 55 yards. He also kicked an extra point.
Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley (Alabama) did not play.
Vikings cornerback Reddy Steward (Austin, Troy) made three tackles and broke up one pass.
Vikings running back Tre Stewart (Jacksonville State) ran for 22 yards on five carries and had a 3-yard reception.
Vikings outside linebacker Dallas Turner (Alabama) did not play.

Atlanta Falcons 13, Dallas Cowboys 31

Cowboys guard Tyler Booker (Alabama) did not play.
Falcons cornerback Cobee Bryant (Hillcrest-Evergreen) made two tackles.
Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs (Alabama) did not play.
Cowboys tight end Rivaldo Fairweather (Auburn) had two receptions for 41 yards.
Falcons inside linebacker Ronnie Harrison (Alabama) led the Atlanta defense with six tackles and made another tackle on special teams.
Falcons safety DeMarcco Hellams (Alabama) did not play.
Cowboys wide receiver Traeshon Holden (Alabama) had two receptions for 22 yards.
Shemar James (Faith Academy) started at linebacker for the Cowboys. James made four tackles on defense, had one tackle on special teams and intercepted a pass. James intercepted Atlanta quarterback Easton Stick and returned it 11 yards to the Falcons 43-yard line with 10:53 left to play. Dallas turned the takeaway into a touchdown for the game s final points with 7:53 remaining.
Cowboys cornerback Christian Matthew (Samford) did not play.
Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney (Gadsden City) did not play.
Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens (Hoover) did not play.
Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert (McGill-Toolen, South Alabama) did not play.
Cowboys defensive end Sam Williams (Lee-Montgomery) did not play.

Kansas City Chiefs 27, Chicago Bears 29

Chiefs quarterback Chris Oladokun (Samford) completed one of his three passes for 50 yards, had a 10-yard run and lost a fumble on sack. Oladokun helmed the Kansas City offense for two third-quarter possessions. He hit a 50-yard completion to the Chicago 18-yard line on his first snap to start a touchdown drive.