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Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Jihaad Campbell (11) gets ready for the play during the third quarter against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Photo | William Purnell-Imagn Images
For the ninth straight year, multiple Alabama players were selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. Linebacker Jihaad Campbell became the second former Crimson Tide star to hear his name called Thursday night when he was picked by the Philadelphia Eagles with the No. 31 overall pick in the first round. Campbell follows former Alabama lineman Tyler Booker, who was selected by the Dallas Cowboys with the No. 12 overall pick earlier in the night.
Campbell started 21 games as an off-ball linebacker the past two years. Last season, he led the Tide with 117 tackles, 11.5 tackles for a loss and five sacks. He also recorded a pair of quarterback hurries to go with two forced fumbles, two pass breakups and an interception.
Along with playing off the ball at Alabama, Campbell spent some time as an edge rusher in certain packages. The 6-foot-3, 252-pound defender recorded a 4.52 time in the 40-yard dash during the NFL Combine in February. He might be best suited to use that elite athleticism as a pass rusher at the next level.
Campbell signed with Alabama as a five-star recruit in the 2022 class. The Erial, New Jersey, native was rated as the No. 2 outside linebacker and No. 29 overall player in his class.
“Campbell has the build and traits of an Alabama linebacker but might need to upgrade in some areas,” NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein wrote on Campbell’s draft profile. “He doesn’t play with early instincts or play recognition and is inconsistent in challenging blockers and leveraging his run fits. Campbell uses his speed and athleticism to help mitigate mistakes and get to the football at a relatively high rate. He’s a rangy, consistent open-field tackler who excels on third downs as a fluid blitzer and impressive cover talent.”
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