The 2025 Senior Bowl is filled with NFL Draft prospects worthy of watching, but two of the best are LSU Tigers OT Will Campbell and Ole Miss Rebels DT Walter Nolen. After Day 1 of practices, Nolen shared early praise for the OT.
Will Campbell vs. Walter Nolen Highlight Senior Bowl Trench Battles
Nolen understands what it takes to survive and thrive at the line of scrimmage. The outcome of the game directly correlates to which side of the ball controls that small tract of football surface area.
He named Campbell the best opponent he’s faced. That level of credit and kudos carries more weight than most. Nolen and Campbell crossed paths on more than one occasion. Actually, they met three times, with the Bayou Bengals winning two.
Every snap presented a chance to show their superiority. During Senior Bowl week, when the eyes of the college football world absorb every word and action, a prospect opens even more eyes when an opponent singles them out. Nolen spoke to 104.5 ESPN (Baton Rouge), regarding what he sees in the presumptive top-10 pick.
“He was the most prepared, prepared the best, out of all the offensive linemen that I played.”
Nolen also spoke to Campbell’s preparation residing at an NFL level. In a league where most rookies will struggle to keep up with the pacing and the demanding/rigorous nature, Campbell looks like he started this long before he arrived in Baton Rouge. That sense of readiness starts as a mindset.
From all indications and reports, Campbell is mentally prepared to visualize and then execute. For example, before the first game against USC in Las Vegas, Campbell conducted an interview in which he clearly explained his frame of mind.
“That’s not what we’re there for. We’re there to play football. I’m not into the other stuff. I’m only going to Vegas to play football. We’re going for one reason only. Not going to Caesars Palace. We’re going to whatever the name of the stadium is to play USC.”
In the video — actually, in this one, this one, and this one — something stands out. Campbell does not change his stare, his demeanor, or his cadence. Regardless of the opponent, the answers all contain different words, but the deliberate intention resonates. Now, cynics will say that anyone can coach media training and public speaks, but trace back to Nolen’s quotes.
No amount of image coaching evokes that type of all-business demeanor. Additionally, that focus translates to the field as Campbell does not display any reticence about being physical with everyone lining up across the line of scrimmage.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper lists Campbell as his second offensive lineman behind Texas offensive lineman Kelvin Banks, Jr. Teams like the Chicago Bears and New England Patriots, who need to keep their young quarterbacks upright and moving, could definitely use Campbell as a Day 1 starter.
If finding a quarterback early is the first step in building a franchise, then protecting him should immediately occur. If not, you’ll see a David Carr situation — the former No. 1 overall pick who was sacked 76 times during his rookie season.
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Campbell, even before he steps on the field at the Senior Bowl or NFL Combine, looks ready to play. There is a fine line between confidence and arrogance, but he firmly stands on the former instead of the latter.
Nolen, no slouch in his own right, can testify to the legal altercations they’ve engaged in the trenches. When a unanimous All-American defensive tackle like Nolen, without hesitation, utters a name, NFL scouts and management will take notice. On top of that, 38 games of film readily exist as evidence.
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