Former UA Center Will Start First NFL Game Monday

The "Alabama dream trio" that football fans hoped to see this NFL season might soon become a reality. Former Crimson Tide center turned Philadelphia Eagles guard Landon Dickerson is set to start in his first career NFL game Monday night against the Dallas Cowboys Monday night.

The national champion center for the 2020 Alabama Crimson Tide was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles No. 37 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. Now, he joins fellow rookie and UA teammate DeVonta Smith alongside Jalen Hurts on the Eagles offense, hoping to use this opportunity to make a name for himself.

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"It is gonna be very beneficial to get some reps with the first team, especially getting timing down with the guys, learning how they play and getting everything meshed up," Dickerson said in his press conference Thursday afternoon.

This comes after the announcement that starting right guard Brandon Brooks will miss up to eight weeks with a pectoral injury from Sunday's game against the San Francisco 49ers. Dickerson replaced Brooks in the game.

According to Dickerson, the degree of excellence is set and the players are ready to bring it to the table this week.

"Being in this building and seeing how the guys are carrying themselves this week, and how we prep for this game- it's an important game, every game is important around here, so I really think guys are locking in, and becoming detailed, and hopefully we can keep doing that the rest of the season."

However, there is no worry from Dickerson about the rat poison and outside noise, as he is just hoping to play to the best of his ability.

"My goal is to play to the standard of the coaching staff, and my teammates have set around here. That's the ultimate goal- to play to that standard, and to execute at a very high level," said Dickerson.

The Philadelphia Eagles face the Dallas Cowboys in a divisional showdown on ESPN's "Monday Night Football" at 7:15 CST.