Tag: Jestin Jacobs

Iowa Hawkeyes snapshot profile: No. 31 Jack Campbell

Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell led the nation in tackles with 143 last season. How can he replicate or surpass that production in 2022?

Surpassing his 2021 season might mean a first-round selection in the 2023 NFL draft for Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell. The 6-foot-5, 243 pound linebacker out of Cedar Falls High School led the nation with 143 total tackles last season.

His 10.2 tackles per game ranked 10th nationally, trailing only Northwestern’s Chris Bergin and Wisconsin’s Leo Chenal’s 11.8 and 10.4 tackles per game, respectively.

Bergin earned an invite to the Chicago Bears’ rookie minicamp and Chenal was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the third round of the 2022 NFL draft. Chenal just inked his rookie deal with K.C.

That means Campbell is both the leading returning tackler nationally and the leading returning tackler per game in the Big Ten. After a season that ended with Campbell picking up first-team All-Big Ten honors by the Big Ten’s media and coaches, the expectations are sky high heading into 2022. Campbell was also one of 16 semifinalists for the Butkus Award, which is presented annually to the nation’s top linebacker.

Naturally, Campbell has enjoyed his fair share of praise throughout the offseason. ESPN’s Tom VanHaaren selected Campbell as his choice for the defensive player not named Will Anderson Jr. that would have the biggest impact on the 2022 college football season back in March.

Meanwhile, 247Sports touted Campbell as one of its top 2023 NFL draft stock risers. Pro Football Focus acknowledged Campbell as the top Power Five run stopper and he was named alongside teammate Riley Moss as one of two Hawkeyes on the Lott IMPACT Trophy watchlist. That pair was also selected as first-team All-Big Ten choices by Athlon Sports.

Following a season that put Campbell on the national radar, let’s take a look back at his Iowa career thus far and examine what’s ahead for the star linebacker in 2022.

Preseason player profile

Hometown: Cedar Falls, Iowa

Ht: 6-5

Wt: 243

Class in 2022: Senior

247Sports composite ranking

2019 three-star / No. 44 outside linebacker / No. 4 player from Iowa

Career stats

Defense & Fumbles Table
Tackles Def Int Fumbles
Year School Conf Class Pos G Solo Ast Tot Loss Sk Int Yds Avg TD PD FR Yds TD FF
*2019 Iowa Big Ten FR LB 2 2 3 5 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0
  2020 Iowa Big Ten SO LB 5 21 8 29 3.5 1.0 1 0 0.0 0 3 0 1
*2021 Iowa Big Ten JR LB 14 57 83 140 3.5 1.0 2 33 16.5 1 6 2 1 1
Career Overall 80 94 174 7.0 2.0 3 33 11.0 1 9 2 1 2
Iowa 80 94 174 7.0 2.0 3 33 11.0 1 9 2 1 2
Cincinnati
Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 6/7/2022.

Depth chart overview

As one of the top linebackers nationally and a player that has been earmarked as a potential 2023 NFL draft stock riser, it goes without saying that Campbell’s starting status isn’t in question.

The in-state linebacker was once again listed atop the depth chart at the Hawkeyes’ middle linebacker slot to begin the spring and that won’t change between now and Iowa’s season opener versus South Dakota State. How much better can Campbell be than the 143 tackles he delivered in 2021?

Probably not much. And if he leads the nation in total tackles once more, that will be an amazing feat considering the type of attention he will merit from opposing offensive lines. Campbell had a pair of interceptions last season, too. One area Campbell could improve is in the tackles for loss and sacks department. He finished the 2021 season with 3.5 tackles for loss and one sack.

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Full snapshot profile series

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Best photos of Iowa Hawkeyes linebacker Jack Campbell entering 2022

Iowa has a star at middle linebacker in Jack Campbell. Here’s a look at his Hawkeye career thus far through these fantastic photos.

Iowa has itself a star at middle linebacker in Jack Campbell. The 6-foot-5, 243 pound linebacker earned first-team All-Big Ten honors from the Big Ten’s media and Phil Steele last season.

The Cedar Falls, Iowa, native was also one of 16 semifinalists for the Butkus Award, which is presented annually to the nation’s top linebacker. It all makes sense after Campbell burst onto the scene with a 2021 season in which he led all of college football with 143 total tackles.

Campbell showcased he’s more than just a run-stopper as he intercepted a pair of passes in 2021, one of which he returned 32 yards for a touchdown to ice the Hawkeyes’ 33-23 win over Illinois. He also had a six-yard scoop-and-score touchdown in Iowa’s 27-17 rivalry win over the Iowa State Cyclones last season. That helped locked down a sixth consecutive win in the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series for the Hawkeyes.

Campbell has emerged as one of the top stars in all of college football. Naturally, he’s already enjoyed a lengthy list of highlights and is set to provide more of the same in 2022. Here’s a look back at Campbell’s Hawkeye career thus far through these fantastic photos.

Iowa linebacker Jestin Jacobs allowed only one touchdown in coverage in 2021

Iowa Hawkeyes linebacker Jestin Jacobs not only stuffed the run in 2021, he only allowed a single touchdown while in pass coverage.

The national media seems to be awakening more and more each day to the large and upcoming realization that is the Iowa Hawkeyes linebackers. This time it is junior linebacker Jestin Jacobs getting some love from the media outlets.

The junior from Englewood, Ohio, was the Hawkeyes’ fifth-leading tackler last year with 53 tackles in 2021. Not only does Jacobs play stout run defense, but his ability in the passing game is just as good. Per Pro Football Focus, Jacobs only allowed one touchdown in pass coverage in 2021.

This statistic speaks to one of the strengths that Jacobs brings to the table. His athleticism and speed within the sideline-to-sideline play has caught the eye of NFL scouts and should only continue to gain more traction with the upcoming season.

With the modern-era of football making running backs viable pass catchers, linebackers have to be able to run in space and make plays in pass coverage. Jacobs’ ability to do this should prove to be a huge asset for the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Jestin Jacobs is paired with Jack Campbell, his linebacking partner that has collected a handful of PFF recognition as the best run stopper in the Power Five along with being a 2023 NFL draft riser.

Also alongside Jacobs is the third part of the linebacker crew, Seth Benson. While a little bit more under the radar and less discussed, Benson is a vital piece of Iowa defensive coordinator Phil Parker’s defense and trailed only Campbell in tackles. Benson had 105 tackles in the 2021 season.

This recognition joins an ever-growing list of leaderboards we are seeing Hawkeyes appear on. This might be one of the first times we see Jacobs’ name getting national news, but it can be expected that it will not be the last time.

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Pro Football Focus puts Hawkeyes LB Jack Campbell atop mountain of Power 5 run stoppers

Pro Football Focus announced Jack Campbell is atop its list of Power Five linebackers in his ability to thwart the run game.

Iowa Hawkeyes linebacker Jack Campbell once again finds himself among the top of another impressive statistical category, adding to his already growing hype. The returning leader of the Hawkeyes’ defense now stands atop the Power Five as the co-leader of run stops from the 2021 season.

With his output and production, it is not a shock that Pro Football Focus has come to love the performance Jack Campbell has shown Iowa fans every week he has donned the black and gold. They join 247Sports as an outlet lauding Campbell’s potential at the next level. 247Sports listed Campbell as one of the nation’s players with the best chance to increase their draft stock in 2022.

With 143 tackles last season, a third of those coming as run stops is a statement performance from a linebacker in the Big Ten West. Campbell stonewalled running backs from teams that love to run the ball. Wisconsin, Northwestern, Minnesota, and Illinois all tried to run the ball and Campbell showed up time and time again.

While Jack Campbell may be the heartbeat of this defense, the trio of Hawkeyes linebackers, which includes Seth Benson and Jestin Jacobs, make up the entire backbone. The three linebackers will look to once again be the glue that propels Iowa into another stellar year on defense.

Coming off of a huge 2021, Campbell’s name will only become more prevalent in headlines, but Hawkeye fans shouldn’t bat an eye at that. The All-American and All-Big Ten senior out of Cedar Falls is looking to do nothing but improve in every single way.

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Iowa Hawkeyes ranked No. 7 in ESPN’s future defensive power rankings

ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg ranked the Iowa Hawkeyes No. 7 in his future defensive power rankings.

Iowa doesn’t appear to be giving up its tradition of strong defensive football any time soon.

Recently, ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg whipped out his crystal ball to rank the top 25 defenses in college football over the next three years. The Hawkeyes cracked the top 10, finishing 7th in the rankings. Rittenberg was especially impressed with Iowa’s ever-replenishing supply of defensive backs, as well as the immediate impact of the linebackers currently on the roster.

Can we start calling Iowa low-key DBU? Coordinator Phil Parker and his group aren’t the type to ask for labels, but they’ve produced the Big Ten’s Defensive Back of the Year five times in the 12-year history of the award, including four times since 2015. – Rittenberg, ESPN.

The next in line for “low-key DBU” is cornerback Riley Moss, last year’s Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year. That’s awarded to the best defensive back in the Big Ten.

The senior had four picks last year in his first-team All-Big Ten campaign. The third-team All-American will be returning for his fifth season and is flanked by returning starting safety Kaevon Merriweather and corner Jermari Harris.

While they did lose star safety and newly drafted New York Giant Dane Belton, keep an eye on incoming five-star freshman Xavier Nwankpa. While his playing status is uncertain for this year, it would not be blasphemous to picture Nwankpa as Iowa’s next Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year winner as well.

Rittenberg also had positive things to say about the Hawkeyes’ defensive line entering 2022.

Iowa’s front four also projects well with veterans such as Logan Lee, Noah Shannon, Joe Evans and John Waggoner all back. Lee is the only non-senior, though, and Iowa will look for sophomore tackles Lukas Van Ness and Yahya Black, sophomore end Deontae Craig and others to keep taking on bigger roles. – Rittenberg, ESPN.

The other position highlighted was the Hawkeyes’ linebacker group. Seen as the backbone of the defense, Iowa is returning a trio of starters. Led by rising draft prospect Jack Campbell, the 6-foot-5, 243 pound linebacker led the nation with 143 tackles. Senior linebacker Seth Benson added 105 tackles in his own right.

Campbell and Seth Benson are joined by junior Jestin Jacobs and will spell trouble for any Big Ten opponent looking to establish the run. The development of the next generation of Hawkeye linebackers in 2021 three-stars Karson Sharar and Jaden Harrell will also be key for maintaining a stranglehold on the position.

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Iowa Hawkeyes’ defensive backbone is trio of returning linebackers

The Iowa Hawkeyes’ defense has quite a trio of linebackers returning to be the backbone of an already stout defense.

The always stout defense of the Iowa Hawkeyes is returning a trio that combined for 301 tackles last season, or roughly one-third of the entire tackles totaled. They are one of seven teams in the country that had multiple players with 100-plus tackles. That sort of output returning is not common and should provide an experienced backbone to lead a defense that constantly performs under defensive coordinator Phil Parker.

That trio consists of the three returning starting linebackers, last year’s leading tackler [autotag]Jack Campbell[/autotag], second-leading tackler [autotag]Seth Benson[/autotag] and fourth leading tackler [autotag]Jestin Jacobs[/autotag]. Trotting out those three each week gives Iowa an extremely long and athletic core on defense that can cover grass fast. Not only do they show out every fall weekend, they’re even better humans than football players.

Iowa’s linebacking core is the heart and soul and good enough for multiple media outlets to rank them in the top 25 following the conclusion of spring ball. Between USA TODAY Sports and 247Sports, the Hawkeyes find themselves at No. 11 and No. 23 in the country.

Jack Campbell

Led by a future NFL draft pick, Campbell is bringing his length and rangy sideline-to-sideline play back to Iowa City to command the defense. His 143 tackles last year speak for themselves. Campbell possesses the ability to not only constantly find the ball, but also to make the play when he finds himself with the opportunity.

Seth Benson

Seth Benson seems to be a bit of the unsung hero and the lesser talked about in the Hawkeyes’ linebacker bunch. His 105 tackles in 2021 were good enough for 13th-best in the nation and proof he deserves more recognition.

The Sioux Falls, S.D., product was another one of the anchors on a defense that gave up only 19.2 points per game. Benson not only plugs the gap in the run game, but has proven himself more than capable of following Big Ten running backs around in the passing game.

Jestin Jacobs

Jestin Jacobs is entering his third season donning the black and gold for Iowa. He has garnered intrigue for his athleticism and flashes of closing speed in the flat against wide receivers and running backs. While a little less seasoned than Campbell and Benson, his ceiling may be the highest of all three. That is more than enough to get Iowa fans and NFL scouts interested in what he can continue to do.

One of ESPN‘s post-spring takeaways on the Iowa Hawkeyes hypothesizes another season filled with very stout defense each week against whoever lines up against them. These three make the Iowa Hawkeyes’ defense go and are often involved in tackles for losses, turnovers, and big defensive stands. Expect more of the same this fall.

Having a backbone with the likes of Campbell, Benson, and Jacobs sets up a defense that can be aggressive, risk-taking, and fearless making plays because they know they have a three-headed monster of linebackers that will help clean up the mess.

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Iowa Hawkeyes at No. 23 in 247Sports’ post-spring football rankings

The Iowa Hawkeyes have come in at No. 23 in 247Sports’ post-spring college football rankings.

In the most recent top 25 rankings from 247Sports, the Iowa Hawkeyes find themselves making the cut and coming in at No. 23 in the country. In the previous rankings, the Hawkeyes found themselves at No. 16.

Rankings after spring practices should always be taken with a grain of salt and this case is no different. Iowa chose to rest some of their key players due to injuries and preserving them for the fall. As you can see below, the list of inactive players was littered with key contributors.

That said, the Hawkeyes’ slide in the rankings is explainable. Their spring practices saw a quarterback competition heat up that looks like it will continue into the summer and training camp. The voters may look at that as uncertainty at the most important position and knock Iowa a bit for that.

While it is a quarterback competition, it could lead to improved play across the board at the position. In what appears to be a three-man race between [autotag]Spencer Petras[/autotag], [autotag]Alex Padilla[/autotag], and [autotag]Joe Labas[/autotag], it could spark each of them to perform at the next level giving Iowa a boost at the quarterback position voters may not be accounting for.

The Hawkeyes find themselves in the top 25 in large part to their defensive and special teams units. Each of these units have consistently been solid for Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz.

Defensively, Iowa will have experience returning and quite a bit of it. At linebacker they get [autotag]Jack Campbell[/autotag] and [autotag]Jestin Jacobs[/autotag] back leading the charge. [autotag]Riley Moss[/autotag] plugs in at defensive back coming off of a 2021 where he was named Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year.

The defense will be its usual self under defensive coordinator Phil Parker and can be expected to keep the Hawkeyes in games.

On special teams, Iowa has one of the best weapons in the entire country. Punter [autotag]Tory Taylor[/autotag] is a special asset that can change a game in one play. At the open spring practice, Taylor had multiple punts that exceeded 65 yards. His ability to flip the field will give the Hawkeyes the field position advantage more often than not.

Rankings now are always a little bit suspect, but nonetheless it is nice to see the Hawkeyes getting national respect as a top 25 team. Should the quarterback competition enhance that group’s play, Iowa’s ranking may climb much higher than No. 23.

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