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Former LSU football left tackle Will Campbell is set to make history on Thursday night, becoming the first LSU tackle to ever be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft.
While LSU may be a stranger to day one tackles being drafted, Tigers' head coach Brian Kelly isn't. At Notre Dame, Kelly's program produced a handful of elite offensive linemen, developing several first-round picks.
The hit rate on those players is high, too. Three of the four Kelly offensive linemen to go in the first round made All-Pro teams at some point in their careers. The lone first-rounder that didn't was still good enough to earn a sizeable second contract. Campbell will hope to follow a similar trajectory.
Current projections have Campbell going No. 4 overall to the New England Patriots. If Campbell slips past four, he's still likely to be a top-10 pick.
Here's every offensive linemen from a Brian Kelly program to be a first-round pick in the NFL Draft.
It's rare for guards to come off the board in the first half of the first round. Nelson was the exception to the rule, going No. 6 overall to the Indianapolis Colts. Seven years into his NFL career, Nelson made seven Pro Bowls and three All-Pro teams.
Just like Campbell was in 2024, Nelson was a unanimous All-American his final year at the collegiate level. Nelson's transition to the NFL was seamless, making the First Team All-Pro squad in 2018. One of Campbell's selling points is the potential to make a similar sizeable impact as a rookie.
Nelson is tied with Ronnie Stanley for the title of Kelly's highest-drafted offensive linemen, a title Campbell will look to earn on Thursday.
McGlinchey came off the board three spots after Nelson, heading to the 49ers. He was a fifth-year tackle who left college with 39 career starts.
McGlinchey made the PFWA All-Rookie Team, but is yet to make a Pro Bowl or earn All-Pro honors. McGlinchey spent five years in San Francisco after the 49ers picked up his fifth-year option, but didn't resign and joined the Denver Broncos in 2023. McGlinchey is entering year three of a five-year, $87.5 millon contract.
The Ravens picked Stanley No. 6 overall in 2016, and he's remained in Baltimore ever since. The Las Vegas native was a First Team All-Pro in 2019 and made two Pro Bowls (2019 and 2024).
Stanley was a consensus All-American in his final year with the Irish and was part of a talent-loaded roster that earned a Fiesta Bowl appearance.
The Ravens' offensive line has impressed in Stanley's tenure, paving the way for some of the NFL's top rushing offenses. Stanley resigned with the Ravens on a three-year, $60 million deal in March.
The Dallas Cowboys drafted Martin with the No. 16 overall pick in 2014 and it didn't take Martin long to emerge as one of the NFL's best offensive linemen. He was First Team All-Pro as a rookie, an honor Martin went on to earn seven times. He was Second Team All-Pro twice more and named to the NFL 2010s All-Decade team.
The Cowboys' offensive line was among the best in the NFL for a lengthy part of Martin's tenure. Martin was as consistent as they come, making nine Pro Bowls.
Martin was a high-floor prospect after spending five years with the Irish. He was an All-American tackle in college before playing guard at the professional level.
The similarities with Campbell and Martin are evident. Campbell is a safe pick, just like Martin was. And there's talk of Campbell making the same move Martin did, bumping over to guard.
Martin moving inside was a sure thing when he got to Dallas. Campbell, two years younger than Martin was at this stage, will get a chance to prove himself at tackle, wherever he lands.
This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: Will Campbell set to join elite group of Brian Kelly linemen
Continue reading...
While LSU may be a stranger to day one tackles being drafted, Tigers' head coach Brian Kelly isn't. At Notre Dame, Kelly's program produced a handful of elite offensive linemen, developing several first-round picks.
The hit rate on those players is high, too. Three of the four Kelly offensive linemen to go in the first round made All-Pro teams at some point in their careers. The lone first-rounder that didn't was still good enough to earn a sizeable second contract. Campbell will hope to follow a similar trajectory.
Current projections have Campbell going No. 4 overall to the New England Patriots. If Campbell slips past four, he's still likely to be a top-10 pick.
Here's every offensive linemen from a Brian Kelly program to be a first-round pick in the NFL Draft.
Quenton Nelson, 2018, Indianapolis Colts
It's rare for guards to come off the board in the first half of the first round. Nelson was the exception to the rule, going No. 6 overall to the Indianapolis Colts. Seven years into his NFL career, Nelson made seven Pro Bowls and three All-Pro teams.
Just like Campbell was in 2024, Nelson was a unanimous All-American his final year at the collegiate level. Nelson's transition to the NFL was seamless, making the First Team All-Pro squad in 2018. One of Campbell's selling points is the potential to make a similar sizeable impact as a rookie.
Nelson is tied with Ronnie Stanley for the title of Kelly's highest-drafted offensive linemen, a title Campbell will look to earn on Thursday.
Mike McGlinchey, 2018, San Francisco 49ers
McGlinchey came off the board three spots after Nelson, heading to the 49ers. He was a fifth-year tackle who left college with 39 career starts.
McGlinchey made the PFWA All-Rookie Team, but is yet to make a Pro Bowl or earn All-Pro honors. McGlinchey spent five years in San Francisco after the 49ers picked up his fifth-year option, but didn't resign and joined the Denver Broncos in 2023. McGlinchey is entering year three of a five-year, $87.5 millon contract.
Ronnie Stanley, 2016, Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens picked Stanley No. 6 overall in 2016, and he's remained in Baltimore ever since. The Las Vegas native was a First Team All-Pro in 2019 and made two Pro Bowls (2019 and 2024).
Stanley was a consensus All-American in his final year with the Irish and was part of a talent-loaded roster that earned a Fiesta Bowl appearance.
The Ravens' offensive line has impressed in Stanley's tenure, paving the way for some of the NFL's top rushing offenses. Stanley resigned with the Ravens on a three-year, $60 million deal in March.
Zack Martin, 2014, Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys drafted Martin with the No. 16 overall pick in 2014 and it didn't take Martin long to emerge as one of the NFL's best offensive linemen. He was First Team All-Pro as a rookie, an honor Martin went on to earn seven times. He was Second Team All-Pro twice more and named to the NFL 2010s All-Decade team.
The Cowboys' offensive line was among the best in the NFL for a lengthy part of Martin's tenure. Martin was as consistent as they come, making nine Pro Bowls.
Martin was a high-floor prospect after spending five years with the Irish. He was an All-American tackle in college before playing guard at the professional level.
The similarities with Campbell and Martin are evident. Campbell is a safe pick, just like Martin was. And there's talk of Campbell making the same move Martin did, bumping over to guard.
Martin moving inside was a sure thing when he got to Dallas. Campbell, two years younger than Martin was at this stage, will get a chance to prove himself at tackle, wherever he lands.
This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: Will Campbell set to join elite group of Brian Kelly linemen
Continue reading...
