LSU Tigers Left Tackle Will Campbell is currently shooting up NFL Draft projections; The OT is currently ranked as the third-best player at his position in his class, behind Missouri’s Armand Membou and Texas Longhorn’s Kelvin Banks Jr.
This comes amid concerns surrounding Campbell’s arm lengths from NFL Draft analysts and experts following the LSU man’s performance at the NFL Combine.
Will Campbell Shuts Down Concerns Following NFL Combine
Campbell’s original measurements, prior to the Combine, officially came in at 32 5/8 inches. In comparison, Texas’s Kelvin Banks Jr measured in at 33 1/2 inches.
The LSU Tackle defended himself, speaking about the issue following the Combine. Campbell claimed that he’s been dealing with proving people wrong his whole career and is prepared to do it again.
“I think I’ve shown everything that I need to, you know, show that I can play tackle at an elite level. You can go look at my tape, there’s not one play on there that when I get beat, you say that’s because he has shorter arms,” Campbell said.
“Obviously, I don’t have stereotypical offensive tackle arms. I’m aware of that. People have to nitpick something. I’ve heard it all my career,” he continued. “When I was coming out of high school, the college coaches all said the same thing. I proved them wrong. It’s something I anticipate doing again.”
Campbell Wins Over NFL With Footwork
According to ESPN Draft expert Field Yates, most evaluators are completely unbothered by Campbell’s wing span and arm length, with some claiming that Campbell was the best tackle of the class, according to Yates.
“The number of evaluators who are unbothered by Will Campbell’s arm length really stands out to me. I was hard-pressed to find an exec or coach who doesn’t view LSU’s Campbell as the best tackle of this class, and those same people told me his length wasn’t a concern on tape.” Yates claimed, despite concerns from many, which placed Campbell behind Banks Jr and Membou.
I’m not ignoring his 32⅝-inch arm length from the combine, but most people I talked to are bullish on Campbell becoming a really good left tackle. He has excellent footwork, balance and body control to hold up as a pass protector.” Yates wrote on ESPN’s recent article.
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In our most recent Mock Draft, College Football Network experts also rate Campbell as the best Offensive Tackle in his class, projecting him to go as the fourth pick in the first round to the New England Patriots.
“Yes, there are concerns with the length of his arms, but that can’t be a reason not to take him here. In three years with LSU, he played 2,553 snaps and only allowed five sacks. The dude is a generational player,” wrote Jordan Mullahy in his most recent mock.
The NFL Draft is set to take place in a few weeks time in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and according to many, including Yates, we can expect to hear Will Campbell’s name very early.
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