After the NCAA denied his waiver request to play a sixth collegiate season, Wilson joined the Eagles.
PhiladelphiaEagles.com
The Eagles announced on Friday that the team has signed defensive tackle Zion Wilson, a rookie free agent out of East Carolina.
To make room on the roster, the Eagles released wide receiver Brandon Hayes.
The 6-foot-3, 316-pound Wilson started his career as a walk-on offensive lineman and moved to the other side of the ball in 2024.
In his first and only season as a starter, Wilson posted 42 tackles, 10 for loss, and seven sacks in 2025.
Wilson intended to transfer to play at Virginia in 2026, but the NCAA denied his waiver.
Hayes signed with the Eagles following a tryout during the Rookie Camp. A product of Southeastern Louisiana, Hayes was a first-team All-Southland Conference selection for the second straight season as a kick returner. The Hattiesburg, Mississippi native was one of only five FCS players to return multiple kickoffs for touchdowns this past season, doing so in consecutive games. Hayes' 30.7-yard kickoff return average was the third best in all of the FCS.
PhiladelphiaEagles.com
