Arizona Wildcats QB Khalil Tate signs with Philadelphia Eagles as WR
Apr 26, 2020, 2:45 PM | Updated: 9:24 pm
Former Arizona Wildcats quarterback Khalil Tate signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as a wide receiver on Sunday.
Honored to get a chance to pursue my dream of playing in the NFL. @Philadelphia Eagles let’s work! #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/5DvflOndgd
— Khalil Tate (@KhalilTate323) April 26, 2020
The move to wide receiver is curious as Tate didn’t record a reception in college and told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram back in January at the College Gridiron Showcase that he planned to pursue a pro career as a quarterback and wasn’t interested in doing wide receiver drills yet.
In addition, Tate has been working with former Philidelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb to improve his play under center.
Looking forward to the things @KhalilTate323 will bring to @Eagles . Happy for this young man. He’s put in great work this offseason. Can play under center, shotgun, throw with timing and accuracy. 🦅🦅 pic.twitter.com/zxinNx36ov
— Donovan McNabb (@donovanjmcnabb) April 26, 2020
The former four-star prospect, according to 247 Sports, out of Junipero Serra High School in Gardena, California, finished his Wildcat career ranked fifth in school history with 6,318 passing yards.
Meanwhile, Tate’s 2,285 rushing yards rank 13th in school history.
Hey @Eagles, we heard you like speed… 😼
Congrats to @KhalilTate323 on signing a free agent deal!pic.twitter.com/oYdO1QaHWE
— Arizona Athletics (@AZATHLETICS) April 26, 2020
Tate accounted for nearly 2,000 passing yards during his senior season in Tucson, tossing 14 touchdowns to 11 interceptions while playing in 11 of the Wildcats’ 12 games.
Tate’s senior season was a step backward compared to his junior year where he threw for 26 touchdowns to eight interceptions with 2,530 yards.
RELATED STORIES
It was a revolving door for the Eagles wide receiver core last year, as DeSean Jackson, Alshon Jeffery, and Nelson Agholor all went down with injuries.
The Eagles in the NFL Draft selected wide receivers Jalen Reagor from TCU with the No. 21 pick in the first round, John Hightower from Boise State in the fifth round and Quez Watkins from Southern Miss in the sixth round.
At the quarterback position, The Eagles drafted Hurts out of Oklahoma with their second-round pick (53rd overall) to go along with a depth chart that features Carson Wentz, Nate Sudfeld and Kyle Lauletta.
Tate joins fellow Arizona Wildcats J.J. Taylor and Jace Whittaker signing with an NFL team as an undrafted rookie.
Taylor signed a free agent deal to join the New England Patriots, while Whittaker signed a free agent deal with the Arizona Cardinals.
