This time last year, Carson Wentz was preparing for his senior season at North Dakota State, aiming to continue the football program’s dominant run of success.
 
Fast forward to Sunday and Wentz stepped onto the grass at Lincoln Financial Field for his first pads-on practice as an NFL quarterback.
 
The practice was the first of two open to fans during training camp, and the Eagles' No. 2 overall pick from April’s draft enjoyed the experience.
 
“It was pretty cool,” Wentz told reporters on the field after practice. “Getting in the locker room, I was like, ‘Alright, this is pretty nice.’ Coming out here, everyone’s yelling. For practice, it’s pretty sweet to see the support, see everybody out here. It was really exciting and I had a lot of fun today.”
 
The 23-year-old Wentz threw the ball well again Sunday and he looked confident out on the field with the quarterback contingent and the rest of his teammates (see camp Day 7 observations).
 
Perhaps one of the bigger challenges for Wentz in his transition to the NFL will be adjusting to larger crowds. North Dakota State’s football stadium holds a little over 19,00 fans while The Linc holds close to 70,000.
 
It didn’t take long for Wentz to get small taste of what is yet to come during his career in Philadelphia.
 
“I was a little surprised, to be honest, by how many people were here for a practice,” Wentz said. “I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I guess I’m getting used to the craziness that [Lincoln Financial Field] is, so it’s pretty special, pretty cool.”
 
One thing Wentz did notice in between taking snaps and slinging passes down field was plenty of fans in the crowd of 18,000 plus proudly sporting their new No. 11 jerseys.
 
“I’ve seen them back home, I’ve seen them in Bison jerseys and everything, but now seeing them in Eagles colors, seeing all the kids and how excited they are and everything, you know, that’s what it’s all about,” he said. “I appreciate the support from [the fans].”
 
With all the love he got from fans during his first open practice, Wentz was asked if he pictures himself playing in front of sold out crowds at The Linc down the road.
 
His answer was simple.
 
“Oh, absolutely. It’s right around the corner,” Wentz said. “The season is right around the corner and coming out here just to these fans, it was sweet, I can’t even imagine this place packed.”
 
Barring anything unexpected, Wentz will open up his rookie season as the Eagles third-string quarterback, seeing more action on the sidelines than on the field.
 
But the Eagles have their future invested in Wentz, and it won’t be long before their franchise quarterback is handed the keys to the kingdom. For now, Wentz is taking everything in and enjoying his time as an Eagle.
 
“I just had a lot of fun out here today,” said Wentz, with a smile across his face.