2025 NFL Scouting Report: Jihaad Campbell

Prospect Summary:

Alabama was a factory for NFL talent under Nick Saban, and Campbell was recruited to the Crimson Tide to keep that tradition alive. After serving as a backup in 2022, Campbell started rotating into the game in Saban’s final season as he totaled 66 tackles with an interception, three passes batted, .5 sacks, and two fumble recoveries in 2023. As a junior, Campbell was all over the field and the best defender on the Alabama defense. He recorded 119 tackles with five sacks, two forced fumbles, an interception, and two passes batted. On top of being productive, Campbell showed a tremendous skill set with size, speed, athleticism, and strength.

The NFL is a passing-driven league, so for a linebacker to get selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, they must be an asset in defending aerial offenses. Campbell is definitely that, and he is a versatile chess piece that can be used in a variety of ways. Campbell reads plays quickly and covers a lot of ground in zone. His height and length make him valuable to interrupt passing lanes and that could be seen in his interception of Carson Beck last year (see below). With his length and quickness, Campbell can run down the middle seam and functions well as a Tampa 2 coverage linebacker. On dump-off passes to the flat, Campbell is quick enough to get to the ball carrier and is good at making tackles in space. His size and athleticism allow him to have the potential to play some man coverage on tight ends and backs out of the backfield.

Along with being able to cover, Campbell is a dangerous speed rusher off the edge. He is fast and explosive to get upfield to run around offensive tackles. Campbell is agile and athletic to dip underneath blockers with the ability to sink his hips to get pointed to the quarterback. Campbell could be utilized as a subpackage edge rusher along with being a pass coverage linebacker.

In run defense, Campbell is big and physical in the tackle box. He is instinctive and fast to read his keys to get in position to make tackles. Campbell is strong to take on and shed blocks with a quick burst to fire to the ball carrier. With his strength and physical attitude, Campbell will hit hard and put ball carriers into the turf with violence. Campbell is fast, instinctive, big, and could be a three-down middle linebacker in the NFL.

In the 2025 NFL Draft, Campbell looks like a worthy top-20 pick. He could be a versatile and dangerous defender for a creative defensive coordinator as Campbell is a good run defender, skilled dropping into coverage, and a dangerous pass rusher.