Will Campbell is one of LSU’s 2 returning 3-year starters at offensive tackle. Paired with Emery Jones, Campbell forms one of the best tackle duos in the entire country. The anchor left tackle for Heisman winner, Jayden Daniels and now rising star, Garrett Nussmeier has shown elite play in the SEC since he was 18 years old and has continued to improve for multiple seasons.
Campbell was a 4-star tackle prospect from Monroe, Louisiana in the class of 2022 who committed to play for LSU on January 30th, 2021 after picking up an offer from the Tigers just weeks after the end of his freshman year of high school. At the college level, Campbell started immediately at left tackle for LSU and in his last two seasons has been an All-Sec selection two times while playing 26 games.
Now as a true junior Campbell is one of the leaders on the LSU roster, who was awarded the Tiger’s iconic number 7 jersey for the second year in a row. LSU is seen as a team that can compete for a playoff spot and with a big win this weekend over #9 Ole Miss on October 12th, we could see the Will Campbell led Tigers in the College Football Playoff.
Player Info
Name: Will Campbell
Jersey: No. 66
Position: Offensive tackle
School: Louisiana State University
Class: Junior
Height: 6-6
Weight: 323 lbs.
Will Campbell’s Strengths
Will Campbell is a true technician at offensive tackle in the pass and run game. His grip is very good when in pass protection, once he gets his hands on rushers it’s over for the defenders.
He eliminates pass rush moves with great hand placement and strength. Has a good anchor, shows great strength against power and whenever he’s caught off guard by power he’s able to recover well and stop the power rush.
People worry about his arm length but I don’t personally see it as an issue, he’s able to use his arms to keep defenders away from his chest despite the reported short arm length.
In the run he’s a very fluid mover, he gets to his assignment quick but under control and is strong at the point of attack. He arrives with power and you can see the impact his hands have on the defenders when he gets there.
Displayed some over aggression in the run in 2023 but that has been limited in 2024. Plays with a mean streak and an edge, his aggression isn’t uncontrollable or detrimental to the team but it’s very obvious he’s the best on the field and he knows it. Very vocal on the line, makes a lot of calls and is able to diagnose what the defense is doing and call it out.
Will Campbell’s Weaknesses
Campbell doesn’t have many glaring weaknesses. One of the obvious things that’s different about Campbell is that he plays with a high pad level, his stance is high, he blocks high, but it doesn’t lead to lack of power like it does for other offensive lineman.
However, against bigger, better, and stronger players he will need to play lower. He has trouble with speed on inside moves when edge rushers start outside and then cross back across his face to the inside so he needs to clean that up but he shows the ability to improve significantly over the course of a season or offseason.
Draft Projection
Will Campbell came into 2024 as my OT1 and that hasn’t changed yet this season. Campbell has been a rock solid tackle for 3 years and a team is going to fall in love with the consistency and polish he posses as an offensive tackle.
He has all the makings of a day 1 starter at left tackle and should be taken top 10 in April. Other people aren’t fully bought in to Campbell’s upside and see him as a low ceiling type of player but I’m 100% on the opposite side of that argument, the sky is the limit for a 20 year old who already has the level of polish and skill Campbell has.
Campbell has versatility to fit in a variety of schemes and his character and play will be a welcomed addition in whatever locker room he lands in.
