Analysts break down Jack Campbell’s tape ahead of 2023 NFL draft
The race to be the first linebacker off the board in the 2023 NFL draft appears to be wide open! While there are a few common candidates at the top of boards, analysts are split on who exactly the top guy is. Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell has a great shot at that claim.
Campbell made waves throughout the football world with two great years of play at Iowa. As a senior, Campbell was an unanimous consensus All-American, taking home both the Butkus Award and the William V. Campbell Trophy. He was the best linebacker in the nation and the leader of a fantastic Hawkeyes defense.
Campbell turned heads at the NFL Combine, dispelling any concerns about his athleticism. While he has the ability to be an old-school big thumper, don’t place him into a box. Campbell showed the athleticism and ability to be a do-it-all middle linebacker.
A favorite on social media since his flashes during the COVID-shortened season, here is a look at why Jack Campbell has so many fans.
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And They Said Athletic Concerns...
Jack Campbell is 250lbs and moves like this pic.twitter.com/bYJFqSNjTN
— Justin Penik (@JustinPenik) April 15, 2023
Coverage and Run Defense
These 2 plays alone are what the Houston Texans have been missing most from the Linebacker position.
I might break a table with how hard im pounding for Jack Campbell to be drafted here 😤☝️ pic.twitter.com/MDnwoKvREC
— # 2 Pick In Draft (@AyooTexanNation) April 12, 2023
Campbell's the Best of Both Worlds
You want a football player or a guy who looks good in drills? @HawkeyeFootball’s Jack Campbell plays the game differently than many of his peers – see why on todays #BLOCKPARTY pic.twitter.com/VXFX06VkPg
— Michael Wahle (@MikeWahle68) April 13, 2023
Getting it Done in Coverage Once Again!
Jack Campbell gets his hand in the passing lane to create a turnover pic.twitter.com/TUxKUVnwHh
— Matt Holder (@MHolder95) April 11, 2023
Making A Difference Against Michigan
Great job by Jack Campbell of coming downhill to force Corum to bounce, then showing off his athleticism to match Corum on the bounce & cutback pic.twitter.com/vIIcXWCGBs
— Matt Holder (@MHolder95) April 11, 2023
Not Afraid of Contact!
Beautiful job of taking on and getting off the block by Jack Campbell to make the play pic.twitter.com/ZyIP9bgRbf
— Matt Holder (@MHolder95) April 11, 2023
More Coverage Work!
This won’t show up on the stat sheet but is a good example of Jack Campbell’s vision/instincts in coverage to help his teammate take away the short curl pic.twitter.com/b62eQE81KK
— Matt Holder (@MHolder95) April 11, 2023
Full Game Breakdown
Jack Campbell, LB, Iowa
*Throwback type LB
*Physical coming downhill
*Very good lateral agility
*Cleans up around the box
* + processor
*Recognizes and uses hands to control and leverage blocks
*Sure tackler – finisher
*Squeeze overlap areas in Zone
*Reads and attacks threat in… pic.twitter.com/AbQN8vNvTm— Erik Turner (@ErikJTurner) February 28, 2023
Great Instincts!
Jack Campbell out of Iowa can do it all from stuffing the run inside and negating the pass.
Campbell is a unit at the linebacker position standing at 6’ 5” and weighing 246 lbs. He’s a big consideration for the #Bills at pick 27. #NFL #NFLTwitter @BuiltInBuffalo_ pic.twitter.com/s580kYRj2y
— Daniel Adams (@Im_DanielAdams) April 13, 2023
Number One on the Field and Number One in Our Hearts!
I think Iowa LB Jack Campbell is the best MLB in this class – and I think he’ll be buzzing more after the Combine
Size, range, instincts, start-stop, play ID, shed blocks, underneath zones, short area quicks
Shake route from 185lb WR/All Conference Returner? Got that covered pic.twitter.com/2f0IHQKK9w
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) February 20, 2023
"The heart and soul of the @HawkeyeFootball defense – Jack Campbell."@JBooty88 breaks down the tape on some of his favorite plays from the @B1GFootball Defensive Player and LB of the Year. 🏆 pic.twitter.com/lCbntop0IC
— Iowa On BTN (@IowaOnBTN) November 30, 2022
Film Backs it Up Too!
Jack Campbell was ELITE in coverage last season👀 pic.twitter.com/LmQe77fc0N
— PFF College (@PFF_College) February 26, 2023
Mr. Do-It-All
Jack Campbell is a rare breed in today's college football LB world. He can thrive as a thumper who will stonewall a pulling guard and make a TFL on one play and then show off the range of a space and chase LB on the next play as he does here. Incredibly fun watch. pic.twitter.com/T73f7whB7o
— Steven Haglund (@StevenIHaglund) February 26, 2023
Oh Yeah, He Can Score Too!
SAFETY! 🙌@HawkeyeFootball now leads 5-3 thanks to Jack Campbell 👏 pic.twitter.com/ETzNLhx9fO
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 3, 2022
An Insane Athlete
Jack Campbell is a LB prospect in the 2023 draft class. He scored a 9.98 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 6 out of 2600 LB from 1987 to 2023.
Skipped bench, so no update to Campbell's score. Not that it would hurt.https://t.co/b2YyvNiPbJ #RAS pic.twitter.com/bkdjyaffBM
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 4, 2023
Compared to a Former All-Pro
I see a bit of Karlos Dansby in Iowa LB Jack Campbell. Great athleticism for his size, and I wonder if he can be even more dynamic if he diagnoses and waits about 10% less, and zooms to the ball about 10% more. pic.twitter.com/9rA13o9pgS
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) April 5, 2023
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