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FOXBOROUGH — A Monroe, Louisiana native, Will Campbell didn’t go far to play his college football at Louisiana State University.
Still, Campbell said he’s had his professional sights set on Foxborough all along. The left tackle told Eliot Wolf as much during the executive vice president of player personnel’s trip to Baton Rouge last fall.
“This is where I’ve wanted to be since the start,” Campbell said. “Eliot Wolf came to my practice probably about Week 5 of the season and I told him this is where I want to be... I told him and our area scout Alex Brooks that I wanted to be a Patriot. That happened in the middle of the season.”
The Patriots made that match a reality on Thursday evening, drafting Campbell with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
So why was Campbell hoping for New England?
The left tackle had never been to the region until his Top 30 visit in the pre-draft process and the team hasn’t won a playoff game since 2018.
“I just think that the culture and the New England Patriot logo speaks for itself,” Campbell said. “I believe in the guys in that locker room. I believe in the quarterback. And Coach Vrabel is my kind of guy. He’s all ball and no BS. That’s what I want to play for. He’s very hands on. He loves the players that he coaches. I just want to be a part of that.
“It means everything (to be drafted by the Patriots). I’ve played for a historic program at LSU and now to play for one in New England, I guess I’m lucky. But I’m just super excited and thankful to wear that logo on the side of my helmet and across the front of my chest. It’s a complete honor.”
The Patriots are happy to have Campbell in the fold, too. Vrabel raved about the left tackle after making the pick.
“Adding Will to our football team, it’s about a foundational piece, a young 21-year-old, that’s mature beyond his years,” Vrabel said. “He’s a leader. He’s durable. He’s physical, dependable, accountable, a quick study. We spent a lot of time with him. Whatever mistakes that showed up – which they all do – he recovers quickly and can fix those mistakes. We spent a lot of time and we looked at a lot of other players and worked a lot of other players out. He made a huge impact on us."
Vrabel felt that impact firsthand earlier this month. When Patriots brass traveled to Louisiana for a final workout, the former All-Pro linebacker opted to line up across from Campbell. He’s a hands-on coach.
It didn’t go well for Vrabel, who was knocked to the turf.
“If that tape ever gets out, people are gonna have some problems,” Vrabel said. “So I hope that tape never sees the light of day.
“I mean, I got him,” Campbell laughed. “I’m not going to lie. I got him on the ground. I know we had a great lunch after, a bunch of great guys. I’m just super excited for this opportunity.”
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Still, Campbell said he’s had his professional sights set on Foxborough all along. The left tackle told Eliot Wolf as much during the executive vice president of player personnel’s trip to Baton Rouge last fall.
“This is where I’ve wanted to be since the start,” Campbell said. “Eliot Wolf came to my practice probably about Week 5 of the season and I told him this is where I want to be... I told him and our area scout Alex Brooks that I wanted to be a Patriot. That happened in the middle of the season.”
The Patriots made that match a reality on Thursday evening, drafting Campbell with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
So why was Campbell hoping for New England?
The left tackle had never been to the region until his Top 30 visit in the pre-draft process and the team hasn’t won a playoff game since 2018.
“I just think that the culture and the New England Patriot logo speaks for itself,” Campbell said. “I believe in the guys in that locker room. I believe in the quarterback. And Coach Vrabel is my kind of guy. He’s all ball and no BS. That’s what I want to play for. He’s very hands on. He loves the players that he coaches. I just want to be a part of that.
“It means everything (to be drafted by the Patriots). I’ve played for a historic program at LSU and now to play for one in New England, I guess I’m lucky. But I’m just super excited and thankful to wear that logo on the side of my helmet and across the front of my chest. It’s a complete honor.”
The Patriots are happy to have Campbell in the fold, too. Vrabel raved about the left tackle after making the pick.
“Adding Will to our football team, it’s about a foundational piece, a young 21-year-old, that’s mature beyond his years,” Vrabel said. “He’s a leader. He’s durable. He’s physical, dependable, accountable, a quick study. We spent a lot of time with him. Whatever mistakes that showed up – which they all do – he recovers quickly and can fix those mistakes. We spent a lot of time and we looked at a lot of other players and worked a lot of other players out. He made a huge impact on us."
Vrabel felt that impact firsthand earlier this month. When Patriots brass traveled to Louisiana for a final workout, the former All-Pro linebacker opted to line up across from Campbell. He’s a hands-on coach.
It didn’t go well for Vrabel, who was knocked to the turf.
“If that tape ever gets out, people are gonna have some problems,” Vrabel said. “So I hope that tape never sees the light of day.
“I mean, I got him,” Campbell laughed. “I’m not going to lie. I got him on the ground. I know we had a great lunch after, a bunch of great guys. I’m just super excited for this opportunity.”
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