Top 20 NFL Draft Prospects: Will Campbell

Will Campbell is one of the more experienced draft prospects in this year’s class. Starting 38 games across his three-year collegiate career, he has shown a high level of consistency that will be much appreciated at the next level. He’s a smooth athlete, displays incredible balance in pass protection, and is a thumping run blocker. In this article, we take a deep dive into what scouts have seen in Campbell that led them to project him as a highly-rated NFL-ready prospect.

Background

Born in Monroe, Louisiana, Campbell attended high school in nearby Neville High. His talent didn’t take long to shine as a high school football player. A five-star recruit, he made a huge mark, becoming the highest-rated offensive tackle in Louisiana in seven years. Campbell committed to Louisiana State University, where he would suit up for the Tigers and continue his journey in college football.

Collegiate Accolades

Campbell immediately earned a starting role at offensive tackle for LSU. The trust placed in him paid off as he delivered performances that earned him Freshman All-American honors and Second-team ALL-SEC. The PFF also graded him as the second-best pass blocker in the nation. In each of his following two seasons, he was named First-team All-SEC. In 2023, Campbell anchored an offensive line that helped LSU become a finalist for the Joe Moore Award. He capped off his college career in 2024 by earning First-Team AP All-American honors, sharing the Jacobs Blocking Trophy with Texas left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr., and finishing as a finalist for the Lombardi Award.

Scouting Report Summary

Campbell is a battle-tested anchor on the offensive line. He’s faced down a gauntlet of NFL-level edge rushers and held his own with a mix of poise and raw physicality. He sets with a natural knee bend and keeps his hands locked and loaded, ready to strike. And when he lands that first punch, it completely jolts rushers. What sets Campbell apart is how he stays engaged. His feet never stop driving, working rushers around the arc with controlled aggression. As a run blocker, he brings real force. He’s heavy-handed at the point of attack and aggressive through the whistle. When climbing to the second level or pulling into space, he shows the awareness and grip strength to stay latched and finish plays.

His relatively short arm length sparks concern but when you watch the tape, you see that Campbell has got it all together. But he’s not perfect though. His inside moves give him trouble. He’ll also need to add functional strength to handle NFL power in pass protection week-in-week-out. But he’s a hell of a fighter in the trenches and has proven himself to be a consistent performer. He’s got the tools, the toughness, and the edge to develop into a reliable cornerstone up front.

Strengths

Smooth athleticism: Campbell’s fluid movements allow him to react quickly and stay ahead of defenders, vital for handling various pass-rush techniques.

Methodical and authoritative: His discipline ensures he executes assignments precisely.

Effective in pass pro and run blocking: Campbell shows versatility as a blocker with good size and tenacity.

Tested at the highest level: Campbell started 38 games in his college career, consistently performing against elite edge rushers.

Weaknesses

Susceptible to inside moves: Defenders can exploit Campbell’s vulnerability to inside rushes. He’ll need to refine his reaction time and defensive read.

Needs more strength in pass pro: To handle the power of NFL-caliber rushers, Campbell must add strength, especially in maintaining leverage during prolonged battles in the pocket.

Lacking in effectiveness in quick-setting scenarios: His ability to quickly set up and neutralize fast-rushers needs fine-tuning to avoid being caught off guard in high-pressure situations.

NFL Combine Results

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