Taiwanese Canadian John Metchie III Looks to Bolster Eagles Offense
By James Moreau | 04 Sep, 2025

Alabama standout John Metchie III gets a fresh start in an Eagles wide receiver pool that includes college teammate DeVonta Smith.

In August the reigning Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles traded for wide receiver John Metchie III as they look to add even more explosiveness to their already potent offense. 

Metchie will be in contention for the third string spot with Jahan Dotson behind superstar A.J. Brown and collegiate teammate DeVonta Smith.

Before the trade Metchie accrued 49 receptions for 519 yards and a touchdown over two seasons with the Houston Texans.

The Texans selected him in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft following an impressive collegiate career at Alabama.  Metchie signed a four-year contract worth $8 million, including $4.9 million guaranteed.

Things quickly went sideways as he was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia just two months later.  He missed his entire rookie season to focus on his health and recovery.  He was cleared to play in the 2023 season.

In college Metchie was part of the Crimson Tide’s 2020 Championship season with his career consisting of 155 receptions, 2,081 yards, and 14 touchdowns. 

While at Bama, he and fellow wide receiver Jameson Williams popularized the “Crimson Crane” celebration inspired by the crane kick from the movie Karate Kid.   The celebration was mocked by Auburn players throughout the 2021 Iron Bowl.  Metchie got the last laugh by sending the crane kick into college football folklore with a legendary 4 OT win in which he converted two two-point conversions, striking the pose after each successful play. The 25-year-old is half Taiwanese on his mother’s side and was born in Taipei.  Metchie grew up in Brampton, Canada before moving to the United States in high school to play for a boarding academy with a history of elevating elite international football players.