Arizona QB Khalil Tate to sign with Philadelphia Eagles as undrafted free agent

Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

From relative unknown to breakout star to Heisman-hyped bust to undrafted. No one can ever say Khalil Tate’s time with the Arizona Wildcats was dull.

The next chapter of his career will be interesting too.

Tate signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent on Sunday, according to Mickey McGill, an NFLPA player advisor. Whether Tate gets a shot to play quarterback, or gets moved to somewhere like wide receiver, remains to be seen.

The Eagles have a crowded quarterback room after drafting former Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts in the second round to develop behind starter Carson Wentz.

The last time I had green in my jersey I played for the Inglewood Jets

— Khalil Tate (@KhalilTate323) April 26, 2020

Another storyline here: The Eagles are the team Tate’s idol, Donovan McNabb, used to quarterback for. The two worked out together this spring.

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Y’all know what happen when a Hustler get that real plug right?

A post shared by WestSide Tate Authentic (@khalil_tate) on Mar 6, 2020 at 7:19pm PST

Tate is coming off a senior season in which he started nine games, and threw for 1,954 yards with 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He also ran for 413 yards and three scores.

For his career, Tate threw for 6,318 yards and 57 TDs and ran for 2,285 yards with 18 scores, his 75 total TDs responsible for most in school history. His best year was in 2017 when, as a sophomore, he burst onto the national scene with an unreal run of performances after coming off the bench for an injured Brandon Dawkins.

Tate ran for an FBS quarterback-record 327 yards and four TDs at Colorado, the start of six consecutive games with 100-plus rushing yards.

Tate entered the 2018 season as a Heisman Trophy candidate, landing on the cover of Sports Illustrated during the preseason, only to see the combination of an ankle injury and an offensive scheme change neutralize his running ability. He finished the year with only 224 rushing yards and two scores but did throw for 2,530 yards and 26 TDs.

Here’s what NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein says about Tate’s NFL potential:

He appeared headed to a featured role as a dual-threat quarterback, but failed to put himself on the map as a passer or dual-threat prospect after 2017. His footwork and accuracy have been long-term issues and if Tate wants to play quarterback, he’s more likely to get a shot in a developmental league. He does have outstanding size, speed and athletic ability, which plays directly into a positional switch to receiver. His ability to fling the ball around offers intriguing package potential, as well. Ultimately, Tate will require a long-term plan and patience, whether he plays quarterback or receiver, and he’ll have to prove he’s determined enough to do what’s needed to make it.

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