Kalen DeBoer talks Alabama football quarterback room
Where does the Alabama football QB room stand? Here’s what Kalen DeBoer said.
Looking back at Alabama football’s first season under Kalen DeBoer, there was not a more impactful player on the Crimson Tide’s defense than Jihaad Campbell.
In 13 games last season for Alabama, Campbell earned second-team All-American honors after racking up 117 total tackles (11.5 for a loss of 55 yards), five sacks, three batted down passes and two forced fumbles (one for a recovery). His 117 total tackles set an Alabama single-season record and ranked fifth in the SEC.
Listed at 6-foot-3, 224 pounds, the former Crimson Tide star is the top linebacker in the 2025 NFL draft class and is believed to be one of the first from his positional group taken off the board. He holds a prospect grading of 6.37 by NFL Next Gen Stats, suggesting he will eventually be a plus starter in the NFL.
As noted by USA TODAY’s Tyler Dragon, Next Gen Stats gave Campbell an 82 total score at the NFL combine in Indianapolis, which ranked first among all linebackers invited to the scouting combine. His speed, which clocked in at 4.52 seconds on the 40-yard dash, is one of several reasons he can be an impactful player in the NFL.
Here’s what you need to know about where Campbell is projected to go in the NFL Draft, along with which NFL team he best fits with along with a scouting report:
Where will Alabama’s Jihaad Campbell go in 2025 NFL draft?
Here’s where NFL draft analysts have Campbell going in the first round of the NFL draft:
USA TODAY Sports Network Live Mock Draft: Round 1, No. 14 overall to the Indianapolis Colts
“The Colts would love to solve their tight end need here but get sniped on Tyler Warren and Colston Loveland. In the absence of a trade up or, what GM Chris Ballard really loves in a trade back, they take the top linebacker available for their one glaring need left on defense. Jihaad Campbell – Nate Atkins, The Indianapolis Star”
USA TODAY: Round 1, No. 19 overall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
“A shoulder injury that necessitated surgery after the combine might have some jittery about Campbell’s stock. But that setback might be the only thing to slow the ascent of the 6-3, 235-pounder, who could make an early mark in the Buccaneers‘ pass rush as he hones his instincts at the second level.”
ESPN: Round 1, No. 32 overall to the Philadelphia Eagles
“Combining Campbell with Zack Baun and Nakobe Dean at the second level would make defensive coordinator Vic Fangio smile. Campbell does it all. He finished last season with 112 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, five sacks and an interception. This Super Bowl-winning defense saw a lot of turnover earlier in the offseason, but Campbell has the toolbox to contribute in multiple ways.”
The Athletic: Round 1, No. 19 overall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
“Lavonte David is back at age 35 for a reason — he is still playing at a high level. But this would also be a great opportunity for the veteran to help Campbell get introduced to NFL life. The Buccaneers are going to have a defense-heavy draft, especially in the early rounds.”
CBS Sports: Round 1, No. 19 overall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
“Campbell would soak so much knowledge from Lavonte David in 2025 then assume the role of the quarterback of the defense afterward. Like David, he’s a super-springy, rangy, second-level defender.”
NFL.com: Round 1, No. 11 overall to the San Francisco 49ers
“After losing a number of key defensive players this offseason, including tone-setting linebacker Dre Greenlaw, the 49ers draft Campbell. The Alabama ‘backer is my favorite player to watch in this entire draft class. He’d comprise a spectacular duo with Fred Warner.”
Jihaad Campbell scouting report
Here’s a scouting report from USA TODAY’s Ayrton Ostly on Campbell:
“Campbell is an ideal modern linebacker with a mix of size (6-foot-3, 233 pounds), speed and explosiveness. He played off-ball at Alabama but teams may send him after the quarterback off the edge in the NFL. In either case, he’s a thumping hitter in run defense with zone coverage skills.”
Ostly also compared Campbell to Chicago Bears linebacker Tremaine Edmunds:
“Campbell is smaller than Edmunds but has similar range and athletic talent. He will need some improvement in coverage to stick in an off-ball role in the NFL.”
Jihaad Campbell’s best 2025 NFL Draft fit
Here’s what Dragon believes is the best fit for Campbell:
“He possesses the speed and athleticism to be an every-down linebacker. Next Gen Stats gave Campbell an 82 total score at the combine, first among linebackers.
“The Rams haven’t had an enforcer at inside linebacker since Bobby Wagner in 2022 and Ernest Jones in 2023. This offseason, leading tackler Christian Rozeboom departed for Carolina. The Rams added Nate Landman, but are they done addressing what was a weak position group last year?”
The projection: Los Angeles Rams
