As LSU enters the 2024 season, its biggest star comes at a bit of a thankless position.
[autotag]Will Campbell[/autotag] has done nothing but dominate in his two-year career, starting from Day 1 as a former five-star and protecting Jayden Daniels’ blindside admirably. Now, he enters what is likely his final season as he’s seen by many as a potential top-five pick in the 2025 NFL draft.
Campbell will almost certainly hear his name called early on Day 1, but what are his chances of being the first player selected? Offensive linemen rarely go first overall, but especially in a class without a clear top quarterback at this point, he could play his way into that spot.
ESPN evaluated his chances to do just that, giving him a 6% chance to go first overall while dubbing him a potential riser.
Predicted chance of going No. 1: 6%
Why he could be the top pick: Campbell will likely be right alongside Banks in the offensive tackle discussion throughout the pre-draft process. At 6-foot-6 and 320 pounds, he is a bigger prospect, though.
With 26 career starts (1,625 snaps), Campbell has been the starter since arriving in Baton Rouge. Playing strictly as a left tackle, he didn’t allow any sacks last season. He’s a true technician at the position, so there isn’t much flash to his game. Campbell just continuously stacks wins in pass protection, showcasing plenty of physical ability as a run-blocker and completely shutting down his matchups week in and week out.
His length will be a question mark, as longer and more sudden edge rushers (guys such as Jared Verse and Dallas Turner) have given him some issues. But most evaluators I’ve spoken with view him as a tackle in the pros, at least right now.
ESPN also included [autotag]Garrett Nussmeier[/autotag] as a potential quarterback longshot, giving him a 1% chance.
After serving as Daniels’ backup the past two seasons, Nussmeier takes over the starter gig for LSU. He has good accuracy and touch down the field.
If Nussmeier were to play himself into that position, it would likely have a lot to do with the projection offered by Campbell. Only time will tell how high these two go, but they’re seeing very real pro hype.
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