Tag: Jihaad

Tale Of The Tape

Campbell is a hybrid defender whose best future likely lies off the ball in an aggressive, blitz/simulated pressure scheme. This is a talent who showcases a lot of different potential roles in how he plays defense for Alabama. He’s an impressive chess piece that can help solve several personnel issues on any given week. But, more importantly, he has a clear primary role to play in a defense, which is essential for the so-called “positionless” defensive prospects. That isn’t Campbell, who should be charged with playing stack linebacker.  

Campbell illustrates impact as a run defender but playing as a scrape player and running over the top of the point of attack. He’s illustrated some really desirable reps as a plug fitter as well, although his consistency of pad level and discipline to hold ground at the point of attack in these instances needs improvement.

He’d be viable in either role, thanks to his length and hand usage to create separation before slipping blocks, plus his quickness over the top of blocks climbing into his lap. He is a physical finisher in the run game, and his tackle radius is boosted by long arms and a good secondary burst to the ball carrier. 

Campbell’s play diagnosis in an off-ball role against the run can be more polished and is a growth opportunity for him. His aggressiveness and fast-to-flow nature can, at times, pull him a step or two out of leveraged positions based on eye candy and false indicators away from the football. Being more patient when reading out backfield action and trusting his athleticism will go a long way in helping him make even more plays efficiently at or near the line of scrimmage. 

He’s made a number of open-field tackles that really pop for his ability to get a wrap, stand up the ball carrier, and finish without conceding a forward fall to pick up extra real estate — even if he’s tackling on a steep angle to the sideline.

He has ferocious pads to finish and is efficient, too. Campbell boasts a seven percent missed tackle rate for his Alabama career; that figure was just more than 5.5 percent in 2024. 

Defending the pass is where his strength lies. He’s a capable talent to drop and play zone coverages or rush the passer. It may be tempting to relegate him to a full-time pass rusher role because of his impressive rush reps from off and on the ball in 2024, but that feels like it is doing Campbell a disservice.

He has illustrated a speed rush and rip&dip combination off the edge, showcasing good ankle flexibility and cornering skills to turn the corner tightly on a tackle and spike back up around his outside hip and back to the quarterback. But Campbell doesn’t have the kind of power throughout his frame, nor an elite first step, to truly live in this world full time, and his optimal rush role features second-level pressures that come via disguise.

Campbell has torn through some wide-open gaps from depth thanks to his ability to disguise second-level pressure and let the center turn into help for a lineman before popping uncontested through an A-gap. He is a load for backs to step up and try to handle in protection. At a minimum, he should be expected to collapse the depth of the pocket and use his length to make the quarterback uncomfortable. 

Campbell can be prone to finesse counters when locked up with an offensive lineman, however — LSU’s Will Campbell dumped him on an inside spin on one occasion and would have tossed him for a second if Campbell hadn’t been pushed into a pile on the way down. He can take his rush with high pads at times and needs to expand his rush counters off the edge while knowing his profile isn’t particularly powerful. 

As a coverage defender, Campbell is an effective zone option to play in the middle of the field. His anticipation of throws to checkdowns underneath after dropping to a landmark offers him the ability to minimize added yardage underneath and force the offense to work for their gains. He shows good transition skills with sufficient hips and can drive on crossers over the middle or plaster same-side breaks.

Ideal Scheme Fit, Role

Campbell would be best served as a predominant stack linebacker at the NFL level. Simulated pressure schemes will love his ability to time up second-level rushes and allow protections to declare before hitting a gap at full speed.

His confidence in zone drops and ability to play efficiently underneath will set him up to be a productive rally player in pass coverage. His destination should regard him as an instinctive role player early on, with the ability to develop into a full-time starter for a scheme willing to allow him to wear different hats situationally. 

Grade: 81.50/100.00, Late First/Early Second Round Value

Big Board Rank: TBD

Position Rank: TBD

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