The Philadelphia Eagles demonstrated their dominance in the 2024 NFL season as they trounced the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 59. Their unrivaled control at the line of scrimmage, both offensively and defensively, acted as a classic case of the significance of trench investment for a team’s triumph.
Upcoming teams who will be participating in the 2025 NFL draft and have high picks might take inspiration from the Eagles’ winning strategy, and prioritize investment in the offensive line. The previous year’s draft saw the selection of nine offensive linemen in the first round.
Although this year’s class doesn’t forecast an abundance of top-tier prospects, a handful indeed project as first-round selections. Standing out among them all, and therefore being this year’s most promising prospect, is Will Campbell from LSU.
Campbell’s football journey began with him being a key player for the Tigers from his rookie season. He dedicated three seasons playing at left tackle for LSU and demonstrated his unmatched skills.
In recognition of his athletic prowess, he received the revered Number 7 patch, an annual honor given to the team’s most exceptional athlete, for two successive years. He prevailed over prospective NFL athletes such as Jayden Daniels, Malik Nabers, and Brian Thomas Jr in securing this accolade.
The year 2024 brought more laurels to Campbell’s kitty. He received the coveted SEC’s Jacobs Blocking Trophy that is given every year to the top lineman in the conference, in recognition of his prowess. Additionally, he earned first-team All-Conference and All-American honors, further cementing his intricacies in football.
Campbell’s college journey has led him to this defining moment, where he is expected to shine on the national stage. As he steps ahead, he will be keenly watched as one of the top offensive linemen in the draft.
The fact that Campbell is one of eight such players from LSU doesn’t diminish his luster. He indeed possesses another opportunity to display his skills to scouts before the draft. Without question, Campbell leads the pack as the most sought-after offensive lineman in the class.
Measuring 6-foot-6 and weighing in at 323 lbs, Campbell fits the ideal mold for the position. His resume of commencing three years as a tackle and a pristine college career free from significant injuries gives him a significant edge over his contemporaries in the draft class.
His designation as the top athlete of the Tigers is well deserved and this clearly manifests itself on the field. With an enviable blend of agility and control, Campbell moves impeccably well for a tall tackle. He displays impressive body control and robust strength.
His powerful stature makes him a vital force in run blocking, paving the way for runners with his robust hands. This power and hand aptitude make him ideally suited for that phase of offense.
Over the past three years, Campbell has consistently faced NFL-standard talent week after week in the SEC, equipping him with essential experience. He is a committed player with the right amount of determination required for his position.
His athleticism and footwork serve him well in pass protection, although he can face difficulties with lateral movement, especially from rushers who effortlessly transition from speed to power. His ability to recover against dynamic edge rushers in the NFL may be a concern due to his arm length.
Campbell’s stature and skills have led to him being akin to Peter Skoronski or David DeCastro, both were athletic tackles in college but shorter arms relegated them to the guard position. Campbell took part in all but two snaps of his career at LSU as the left tackle.
The statistics that define his college career underline his consistency at the position: with over 2,500 plays logged, he allowed just four sacks, 13 hits and 32 hurries over three years across 38 games.