Scouting Profile: Will Campbell - IOL - LSU
Sales Pitch: Battle tested lineman with plus power and quickness. Plug and play at the next level even if pass protection issues may force him to slide inside.
*Gold Numbers Indicate NCAA T-25 for 2024*
Scouting Report
Will Campbell is a former 5-Star recruit from the state of Louisiana. One of the premier LTs in college football the past three years, he was an iron man on the blindside for the Tigers, starting 38 of 39 possible games. Campbell leaves LSU as a 3x All-SEC player, with All-American honors in 2024 to top it all off.
Campbell is an excellent athlete with easy movement skills and plus play strength. He is an experienced player with lighting fast processing skills as a blocker. He plays with the right amount of aggression to finish reps without going overboard. Campbell doesn’t look like a mauler, but powerful legs and hands allow him to shock and drive defenders at the point of attack. He uses his core and grip strength to create torque as a blocker and rip defenders out of the hole. He is an excellent blocker on double teams, quick to pop the down lineman before quickly climbing and attaching to backers at the 2nd level. Campbell’s first step quickness allows him to get out of his stance and close on blockers in space. He is a fluid mover with loose hips that easily get around and seal blocks. In pass protection, he is balanced and controlled with light feet to mirror speed rushers. Campbell has accurate and powerful hands to disarm and negate rush moves off all types. He shows the flexibility and core strength to take contact to his chest, drop his anchor and protect the pocket as well.
The most public concern with Campbell’s profile is his lack of arm length. His 32 5/8” arms are well below the 33” threshold for a tackle, and check in at 7th percentile for the position. Short arms are an issue for tackles because it limits their ability to get first contact and control reps. Campbell often has to secede first contact to rushers and sets shallow pockets versus speed to power as a result. However the main issue for Campbell, and why many think he might be better suited to move inside, is not his length but his set points in pass protection. He has a bad habit of oversetting and allowing quick inside counters to slide past him. He will also freeze his feet while punching and allow short corners around the edge. Since Campbell lacks the length to ride speed rushers wide, he is forced to abandon his technique and chase when this happens.
Campbell profiles as an above average tackle or All-Pro caliber guard at the next level. His experience, strength and movement skills make him scheme versatile player and instant starter at the next level. Campbell projects as a Top-15 pick who can play any of the 5 spots along the OL, depending on what team selects him.