will Campbell

Where do Will Campbell and Emery Jones rank on PFF’s draft big board?

What round will LSU’s Will Campbell and Emery Jones hear their name called in the 2025 NFL Draft?

LSU football’s offensive line was one of the most talented in college football in 2023 and 2024. Headlined by tackles [autotag]Will Campbell[/autotag] and [autotag]Emery Jones, [/autotag]the Tigers had a handful of future NFL players protecting the quarterback.

Campbell and Jones both made decisions on their future following the conclusion of the regular season, electing to forgo their senior years and declare for the NFL Draft. LSU will be without both when it faces Baylor in the Texas Bowl.

On the interior, guards Miles Frazier and Garrett Dellinger are heading to the next level as well.

Campbell has a chance to be one of the top picks in the draft, while the picture is less clear for the rest of the group.

Today, we’ll look at how the bunch stacks up on early draft big boards. PFF ranks all three inside the top 180 and one inside the top 10 on its 2025 Big Board.

PFF slots Campbell at No. 8 on the big board, the highest rank for an offensive lineman, with a season grade of 71.3. One of the most decorated players in program history, Campbell led all LSU offensive linemen with 866 snaps played in 2024 and played every offensive snap in 11 of the team’s 12 games.

Campbell ranks three spots higher than fellow tackle standout Kevin Banks Jr from Texas. The Monroe, LA native allowed just three sacks through his three seasons donning the purple and gold.

Emery Jones Jr.

Jones played all but 33 snaps at right tackle through his three seasons in Baton Rouge. PFF gave him a 61.5 season grade while also ranking him No. 151 overall in the draft class and No. 18 at tackle.

Jones is ranked as a tackle here, but his future at the next level is likely at guard.

Miles Frazier

Frazier enters the draft, offering NFL teams plenty of versatility. In his first season at LSU, he played every position except center, totaling the most snaps at left guard with 594. He also played 190 at right guard, 28 at right tackle, and ten at left tackle.

The Camden, NJ native settled into right guard, totaling 785 snaps in 2023 and 839 in 2024. He began his career at FIU, and his transfer to LSU was key to the Tigers’ rebuild of the offensive line under Brian Kelly.

PFF gave him a 69.6 grade in his final year and ranked him the No. 8 guard and No. 177 overall in the draft.

Garrett Dellinger

Dellinger is absent from the PFF big board, but he has a chance to hear his name called. Dellinger began his LSU career as a tackle and saw action as a true freshman in 2021.

LSU prepared to play Dellinger at center in 2022, but that was short-lived as he moved back to guard. He settled in at left guard in 2023 and has been one of the SEC’s top guards over the last two years.

LSU getting visit from one of transfer portal’s top lineman

LSU may be close to landing one of the top available offensive linemen

LSU is looking to reload on the offensive line, and it could secure a commitment from one of the nation’s top transfers.

Braelin Moore plans to visit LSU, according to a report by CBS Sports and 247 Sports. The outlets received the information from Moore’s agency.

A two-year standout at Virginia Tech, Moore is one of the top-ranked offensive linemen in the transfer portal, rated a four-star prospect. He started at center in 2024 but can play anywhere on the interior. As the Hokies’ starting left guard in 2023, Moore didn’t allow a sack.

The Tigers need a versatile addition in the trenches as they send [autotag]Garrett Dillinger[/autotag] and [autotag]Miles Frazier[/autotag] to the NFL.

Although he plays tackle, [autotag]Will Campbell[/autotag], the undisputed leader of the unit, is also departing for the pros. DJ Chester showed promise at center in LSU’s final two games of the season and is the only returning piece with experience.

Head coach Brian Kelly talked about an aggressive approach to recruiting the portal in the offseason, and Moore certainly fits what the Tigers are looking for. His combination of collegiate experience at multiple positions makes him a great fit for LSU.

Star LSU left tackle Will Campbell reveals status for Texas Bowl

Will LSU left tackle Will Campbell play in the Texas Bowl?

LSU LT [autotag]Will Campbell[/autotag] already announced his intention to declare for the NFL Draft, but on Tuesday, he added he would not play in LSU’s bowl game.

The Tigers are set to face Baylor in the Texas Bowl on Dec. 31, and it will now be a chance to see what the future looks like at left tackle.

Campbell’s opt-out won’t catch LSU off guard. He’s projected to be a top-10 pick in the 2025 draft, and players of that caliber typically don’t play in games like the Texas Bowl.

Campbell is moving on after serving as LSU’s left tackle for three years. He was one of the top offensive line recruits in his class and made an immediate impact, claiming the job as a freshman.

We saw LSU have a major opt-out last year, with Jayden Daniels passing the torch to Garrett Nussmeier in the ReliaQuest Bowl. That turned out to be a valuable experience for Nussmeier as he led the Tigers on a fourth-quarter comeback to win the game.

According to ESPN’s NFL draft board, Campbell is the No. 2 overall tackle in the class, only behind Texas LT Kelvin Banks.

Offensive lineman Will Campbell declares for NFL Draft

LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell announced his intention to declare for the NFL Draft

For the first time this season, an LSU Football player declared for the 2025 NFL Draft.

Offensive lineman [autotag]Will Campbell[/autotag] announced his decision to forgo his additional year of eligibility to turn pro in a message posted to his Instagram on Tuesday.

In his final year donning the purple and gold, Campbell emerged as the undisputed leader of the offensive line. He anchored a unit known as one of the best in SEC and nationally.

The junior made multiple cuts for postseason awards recognizing the nation’s best linemen, including the semifinalist list for the Lombardi Trophy and a finalist nod for the Outland Trophy.

Campbell was named to the 2023 All-SEC first team as well as the 2022 All-Freshman SEC team and multiple Freshman All-American lists.

A native of Monroe, LA, Campbell ranked the No. 40 overall as a 4-star recruit in the 2022 class. He chose his home state school over multiple SEC offers.

Current mock drafts slot Campbell as a top-10 pick. Pro Football Focus’ latest prediction has him joining the Cleveland Browns at pick No. 8, which would make him the first offensive lineman taken.

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LSU’s Will Campbell tabbed SEC offensive linemen of the week

LSU Will Campbell received another accolade on Monday

LSU Football’s [autotag]Will Campbell[/autotag] received a weekly recognition from the SEC on Monday.

Campbell was named the conference’s offensive lineman of the week following the Tigers’ win over Vanderbilt in Death Valley.

The 24-17 victory over the Commodores was highlighted by an efficient attack on offense where quarterback Garrett Nussmeier threw for 332 yards and a touchdown.

Senior running back Josh Williams rushed for 90 yards, two touchdowns, and 61 receiving yards, both career bests.

Campbell anchored an offensive line that protected its skill players all night, giving up no quarterback hurries and allowing just one sack.

A native of Monroe, LA, Campbell is in his third season at LSU. He’s one of just seven Power Four tackles to play over 700 snaps without a sack allowed in 2024.

He is a finalist for the Lombardi Award, presented to the best lineman on either side of the ball who demonstrates leadership on and off the field, and the Outland Trophy, given to the most outstanding interior lineman.

LSU Football’s Will Campbell makes cut for two major awards

LSU’s Will Campbell was named a finalist for two major awards

Postseason awards are coming down to the finalist and semifinal rounds as college football’s regular season draws to a close.

LSU football offensive lineman [autotag]Will Campbell[/autotag] was named a semifinalist for the Outland Trophy and a finalist for the Lombardi Trophy.

The Outland Trophy is awarded to the nation’s best interior lineman on offense or defense. Campbell is one of seven semifinalists, three of whom play in the SEC.

The Lombardi Trophy is presented to the best lineman on either side of the ball with character, discipline, and excellence on and off the field considered. Campbell is joined on the finalist list by Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks, South Carolina defensive end Kyle Lennard, and Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter.

Former LSU defensive tackle and College Football Hall of Famer [autotag]Glenn Dorsey[/autotag] won both awards in 2007.

2024 marks Campbell’s third year with the Tigers. He became an instant starter during his first year and has grown into a leader of the offensive line that helped former LSU quarterback [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag] win the Heisman last season.

The Monroe, LA native played every snap in eight games this season, including all six SEC games, and leads the team with 733 total offensive snaps. He gave up just one sack in 480 pass-blocking opportunities and his 2.7 pressure rate ranks top five among the nation’s offensive tackles.

Over his career, Campbell raked in two second-team and freshman All-SEC honors along with earning a Freshman All-American nod in 2022.

Ranking LSU’s 5 most impactful players at the midway point of the 2024 season

At the midway point, which five players have been most critical to LSU’s success?

With six games in the books, LSU is 5-1 at the midway point of its regular season. LSU is one win away from bowl eligibility, but the Tigers have much bigger goals than that.

LSU notched its biggest win of the year on Saturday, upsetting No. 9 Ole Miss in front of a packed Tiger Stadium crowd. The win jolted LSU back into the playoff discussion while delivering a blow to the Rebels’ title odds.

Here, we’ll take a look at LSU’s five most impactful players through the first six games. A few names on this list are playing as expected. We knew a guy like [autotag]Will Campbell[/autotag] would have a big year. But we’ll also look at the defensive side of the ball, where stars have emerged.

If LSU wants to make the playoff and compete for the SEC, it will need these five players to continue to play like stars.

1. QB Garrett Nussmeier

Nussmeier had big shoes to fill stepping in for Heisman winner [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag], but he’s delivered so far.

Nussmeier is nearing 2,000 yards on the year and surpassed 300 yards in five of six starts. Nussmeier’s thrown 18 touchdowns and ran for two more.

The play isn’t perfect and Nussmeier lacks the rushing ability Daniels had, but Nussmeier’s best moments are brilliant.

He makes NFL throws, showcasing arm strength, accuracy, and anticipation. Nussmeier struggled early against Ole Miss but was flawless late in the fourth quarter and in overtime. LSU has a QB that can the plays to will its team to a win.

2. EDGE Bradyn Swinson

LSU needed a star to emerge in its front seven and that’s exactly what Bradyn Swinson’s done in 2024.

Swinson is tied for the SEC lead with 25 pressures and leads the conference with seven sacks. He’s strong against the run too, notching 16 stops.

Swinson’s best moments come right when LSU needs them. He did it against South Carolina and he did it again vs. Ole Miss, shooting the gap to make a stop on fourth and one and force a turnover.

Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart was under pressure all night and Swinson’s efforts deserve most of the credit.

If LSU keeps getting this level of play from Swinson, the defense will continue its upward trend.

3. WR Kyren Lacy

Kyren Lacy isn’t putting up the numbers Malik Nabers did last year, but he’s giving LSU what it needs from a No. 1 receiver.

Lacy went over the 100-yard mark in each of his last two games. His biggest moment of the year came in overtime against Ole Miss, where Lacy won a one-on-one battle with an Ole Miss DB to secure the game-winning touchdown.

On the year, Lacy ranks fifth in the SEC with 463 receiving yards. His six touchdowns are tied for the most in the conference.

4. LT Will Campbell

Campbell is LSU’s best player and should be one of the first players off the board in the 2025 NFL Draft. He’s in his third year as a starter after winning the left tackle job as a true freshman.

Campbell is in the midst of another all-conference campaign. Campbell is yet to allow a sack and his PFF pass-blocking grade of 84.9 is one of the best in the SEC.

Few QBs are kept as clean as Garrett Nussmeier and Campbell plays a large part in that.

5. LB Whit Weeks

LSU’s linebackers struggled last year. When DC [autotag]Blake Baker[/autotag] arrived at LSU this year, there wasn’t just excitement about what he’d do with the defense, but also the impact he’d make on the linebacker room.

Baker developed Damone Clark into one of the SEC’s best linebackers at LSU in 2021 and now Weeks is making a similar jump in 2024.

Weeks’ 32 stops lead all SEC linebackers and his 10 pressures are tied for second among the same group. LSU knew Weeks was talented, but a breakout campaign of this magnitude, this soon, is a pleasant surprise.

Few players were as critical to LSU’s success in the Ole Miss win than Weeks.

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Saints would be picking top-10 if the 2025 NFL draft started today

The New Orleans Saints would be picking top-10 if the 2025 NFL draft started today. They’re tied for the NFL’s second-longest losing streak after Week 6:

This isn’t where you want to be at any point in the season, but especially not after six games. The New Orleans Saints would be picking top-10 if the 2025 NFL draft started today, according to the latest projections from Tankathon — more precisely, they’d hold the No. 8 overall pick.

After dropping four losses in a row, they’re tied with the Cleveland Browns for the NFL’s second-longest losing streak after Week 6. Only the 1-5 New England Patriots have gone longer without a win. This is the second time in three years that Dennis Allen’s team has held a 2-4 record after Week 6, having reached just 3-3 last season.

No. 8 would be the highest the Saints have drafted since they traded up to No. 7 to pick defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis back in 2008, who was out of the league by 2013.

Still, this would be a great slot to add an impact player. Heisman Trophy favorites like Colorado two-way superstar Travis Hunter and a truly generational talent in Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty are both projected to be available. Instant starters along the offensive line might be found, too, if LSU’s Will Campbell or Texas left tackle Kelvin Banks slide a bit. No quarterback looks like a sure thing just yet.

But the draft is months away. Just because the Saints might be picking at No. 8 right now, it doesn’t mean they’ll stay there. Allen’s teams have made a habit of making late-season runs to chase a long-shot playoff berth and that pattern could repeat this year. Allen is coaching for his job, so don’t expect the Saints to go in the tank. If his defense keeps losing games, though, they won’t need to.

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Mel Kiper updates LSU players on 2025 NFL draft big board

The Tigers previously had three projected first-round picks, but now, that number is down to one.

Mel Kiper released the latest 2025 NFL draft big board. In the Preseason, Kiper had three Tigers projected to be drafted in the first round. Now, LSU is down to only one player with a first-round projection.

[autotag]Will Campbell[/autotag] is the only remaining Tiger with a first-round draft grade. According to Kiper, Campbell is listed as the No. 22 overall prospect in the upcoming NFL Draft. Campbell has been a starter since he stepped foot on the bayou as a freshman and his stock has only risen from there. He is now a captain and an anchor on the offensive line.

The other two Tigers who were previously projected as first-round players were [autotag]Emery Jones Jr.[/autotag] and [autotag]Harold Perkins Jr.[/autotag]

Jones has still played at a high level but he has now slid into the second round according to Kiper. Unfortunately, Perkins suffered a season-ending injury so that will now weigh on the minds of teams who think about drafting him.

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New NFL mock draft has LSU’s Will Campbell going 1st overall

Will Campbell has the chance to be one of the first players selected in the 2025 NFL draft.

LSU left tackle [autotag]Will Campbell[/autotag] anchors one of the best college offensive lines in the country, and he’s sure to find himself playing on Sundays in 2025.

Campbell entered the year viewed as one of the top tackles in the draft and a likely top-10 pick, and nothing has changed on that front. In fact, some prognosticators have become even higher on him, and in the latest mock draft from Yahoo! Sports’ Charles McDonald and Nate Tice, they have the Jacksonville Jaguars taking Campbell with the first overall pick.

The Jaguars have struggled to protect young quarterback Trevor Lawrence early in his career, and that’s part of the reason the offense has sputtered this fall as Jacksonville is the only winless team in the NFL through four weeks.

Here’s Tice’s breakdown.

Campbell is a technician on the left side who constantly stays balanced and in a winning position. His upright stance looks funky, but he’s a good athlete with light feet who can move in space and has the core strength to bring pop in the run game. Campbell is a consistent and smart player for a franchise desperately needing some of that.

If this prediction ultimately held true, Campbell would be the fourth LSU player to be taken first overall and just the second non-quarterback after [autotag]Billy Cannon[/autotag] was taken with the first pick all the way back in 1960.

He’s one of four LSU players projected to go in the first round in this mock, joining [autotag]Garrett Nussmeier[/autotag] (10th overall, New York Giants), [autotag]Emery Jones Jr.[/autotag] (15th overall, Chicago Bears) and [autotag]Harold Perkins Jr.[/autotag] (30th overall, Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

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