Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
Size:
Height: 6027
Weight: 235
Arm: 32 ½”
Hand: 10 ½”
Accomplishments:
Four-star recruit
“Jihaad Campbell is a versatile hybrid linebacker who can make game-changing plays rushing the quarterback, playing as a true stack backer, and dropping into coverage.”
Strengths:
Overall length and size
Instincts
Pass-rush ability
Alignment-versatile
Toughness
Concerns:
Effectiveness tackling
Plays with high pad level
Tackling power
Film Analysis:
Jihaad Campbell is a two-year contributor for the Crimson Tide defense, getting his first starts during the 2024 season. Campbell entered the 2024 season as one of the Tide’s best defenders and teamed with his teammate Deonte Lawson to make up one of the best LB corps in college football. Campbell is a versatile movement piece along this front seven that can align everywhere from the stack backer position to blitzing the A gap to aligning as a true edge rusher and has proven to be impactful from all alignments. Campbell's value as a prospect is his versatility and ability to make plays in both the run game and against the pass.
In the run game, Campbell appears to be an instinctual player playing at the traditional stack backer alignment where he does a good job reading the play and following the flow of the offense to put himself in position to make a play on the ball. Campbell can work downhill, scrape over top, or work under blocks and then get to the ball=carrier to make the tackle. Campbell's length and overall athleticism provide him with good overall range and the ability to play sideline to sideline.
When Campbell is aligned on the edge, he does a good job working to set the edge, forcing runs to turn back inside to the flow of the defense. Campbell has length and a lean frame. He uses his arm length to put him in position to lockout offensive linemen and work to maintain outside leverage. Whether it's aligned on the edge or as a true stack backer, Campbell is a plus-level run defender who can disrupt run plays.
Against the pass, Campbell has an impact in two different ways. When Campbell drops into coverage, he does a good job of understanding route combinations and reading the quarterback's eyes. This puts Campbell in position to break up passes or even intercept the football. Campbell's length shows as an impactful asset as he makes it difficult for quarterbacks to get the football to fit the ball in tight windows around him.
The other way Campbell impacts passing plays is as a pass rusher. Campbell has a quick/explosive first step that allows him to win around the edge. Campbell's quickness appears to overwhelm OL at times and challenges their ability to get depth to beat him to the arc. Campbell as a blitzer/pass rusher can be utilized as a change of pace defensively for defenses looking for some added explosive pass-rush opportunities against an offense.
Campbell's improvements as a player are primarily in the run game. At the stack backer position, Campbell does a good job of locating and tracking the ball-carrier, but on contact, he sometimes lacks knockback power or will attempt to grab and drag as a tackler. This results in ball-carriers being able to break Campbell's tackles. Campbell has a tall, lean frame, which I believe puts him in an upright position and he plays with too high of a pad level to consistently be in position to make strong tackles.
Overall, Campbell is a versatile second-level defender who is a good traditional stacked linebacker but his most impactful value could be carved out for him as he gets more snaps as an edge rusher and can develop in that alignment to become impactful.
Prospect Projection: Day 2 — Winning Starter
Written By: Keith Sanchez
Exposures: LSU (2024), Wisconsin (2024), Georgia (2024) South Carolina (2024)
