PHILADELPHIA -- Longtime Oregon Ducks defensive line teammates Taylor Hart and Wade Keliikipi are the latest to make the 3,000 mile trek here from Eugene.

Hart, a fifth-round draft pick — selected two rounds after the Philadelphia Eagles picked Josh Huff — is almost guaranteed to stick around. Less certain is the 6-2, 303 pound Keliikipi, who signed as an undrafted free agent and is more likely to land on the practice squad than the final roster.

Exactly how much of an immediate contribution either makes will be determined in the next few months in training camp and pre-season, leading up to the Eagles' season opener Sept. 7 vs. Jacksonville.

But for now Philadelphia's 2014 version of Army's famed Mr. Outside (Glenn Davis) and Mr. Inside (Doc Blanchard) backfield of the mid-1940s are thrilled with their new home. Especially since they're being re-united not only with Chip Kelly, but former Oregon assistant Jerry Azzinaro, the Eagles' defensive line coach.

"I thought it would be a great advantage for me knowing the defensive scheme and the coaching staff," said Keliikipi, who compiled 34 tackles and two sacks last season, earning All-Pac 12 honorable mention. "Also knowing one of my partners in crime, Taylor Hart, had been drafted here.

"We were together all four years. He's usually the outside guy. I'm more the inside."

Together they wreaked plenty of havoc on Duck opponents, the 6-6, 281 pound Hart racking up 64 tackles, including 3 sacks and six tackles for losses. But when Hart broke his left foot while preparing for the Senior Bowl his stock took a hit.

That didn't prevent Kelly from snapping him up in the fifth, saying he had to be talked out drafting him sooner by general manager Howie Roseman, who was convinced Hart would still be on the board.

"He's a relentless football player," said Kelly, who got a good look at both Hart and Keliikipi during the Eagles mini-camp that ended last week. "He has a great understanding of what we're doing.

"He's a true 3-4 defensive end two-gapper, and that's what we're looking for. He and coach Azzinaro have a great relationship, so I think that's another positive with him coming in here.

"I guarantee he's going to be a step above some guys in terms of his knowledge of what we're doing already."

As comfortable as he is in what he hopes will become his new quarterback stomping grounds, Hart concedes it's happened all too quickly.

"You go from the end of your college career, then you're training and the draft and now you're here," explained the 23-year-old Hart, who'll be heading back to Tualatin for the July 13 wedding of his younger brother, Connor. "It's been a whirlwind, but a lot of fun.

"I know what they want. What they expect from players. I think I was pretty blessed to have this transition."

Keliikipi, agrees.

"The last round of the draft I got a call from coach Azz," recalled Keliikipi, who was fishing in his native Oahu during the draft. "He was saying, 'We want you to come out here. We really like you.' "I was getting a few calls -- from the Texans, Falcons and Chargers. But I guess this was the right fit."

Neither he nor Hart has looked back since. Of course, when they look around they see so many familiar faces. "Obviously it's just nice to come into Philadelphia and see five guys you know from before," said Hart, who actually has no less than six former Ducks as teammates -- receivers Huff, Jeff Maehl and Will Murphy, defensive linemen Keliikipi and Brandon Bair, and linebacker Josh Kaddu. "It's a cool deal."

"It's been great so far. Now we're gonna put on pads (for training camp) and things will get more intense. But I know it's gonna be another chance to get better."

His longtime buddy Keliikipi has it all planned out as well.

"They set us up with some workout schedules," said Keliikipi, who unlike Hart is more a run stuffer than pass rusher. "I'll continue to train and take advantage of the time off.

''It's too early to tell my chances. Just keep grinding it out day in, day out and when that time comes you look up and see where you are."

-- Jon Marks, Special to The Oregonian