Jackhammer -Jack Campbell, Iowa

First Round Mock’s William Yanish can see Iowa linebacker (LB) Jack Campbell going to the Washington Commanders in the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft. What round should he go in? What does the game film say? Do Commanders’ fans want him on their team?

Something is missing from today’s NFL.

Growing up when I did, I was the last of a certain kind. This was back when we still drank from garden hoses, and peddled our bikes around until after dark.

It was the end of an age.

We experienced a different brand of football too. It was a rock ‘em, sock ‘em, knock your teeth down your throat brand of gladiator violence. You’ve all heard of it, but you had to be there to experience it.

We had such events as the “Body Bag Game” between the Redskins and the Eagles on Monday Night Football. Aptly named, because when the game finished there wasn’t a quarterback (QB) left standing on their sideline. Redskin’s running back (RB) Brian Mitchell was behind center doing what he could to survive. Casualties: nine total.

It was an absolute bloodbath.

Rarely these days there isn’t a game without a roughing-the-passer penalty thrown when a QB is sacked.

I can’t even imagine what it was like to watch safety Mel Blount of the Pittsburgh Steelers play.

Throwbacks are a welcome sight to us ol’ folks.

Jack Campbell enters the NFL’s timeline

This is where 6-foot-5, 246 pound, Iowa middle linebacker Jack Campbell comes in.

While football will never be the same, occasionally someone like Campbell reminds us where we’re from.

Shades of days gone bye still exist.

Campbell, a thumper hailing from Cedar Falls, Iowa is as old school as they come. As a junior in 2021, he anchored one of the best defenses in the country with 140 tackles, two interceptions, a sack, with a touchdown (TD) to boot.

He’s as tough as nails.

In 2022, Campbell was a consensus All-American, the Big-10 Defensive Player of the Year, and the Butkus Award Winner. This is the award given to the nation’s best linebacker.

Campbell’s teammates said it themselves, he was the heart and soul of their defense.

What does the game film say?

His instincts carry through him, and take him to the ball. He’s disciplined and keeps in his zones. Good football intellect is shown in his play. Closing speed with him is a plus. Sound tackling is something else he brings to the position. He’s like a huge wall to throw over in middle of the field.

Campbell has great awareness and he’s a physically imposing linebacker.

While he’s not ideal in coverage, he can handle it sometimes (liability versus wide receivers or top-flight tight-ends). This is by far his weakest link.

This Iowa linebacker makes his presence known, he’s as strong as an ox. His physicality is second to none and he just does not quit.

His game is reading, reacting and attacking as he bottles up runners. You’ll see him roaming the field sideline-to-sideline with his radar always on attack mode. Campbell is not flashy, or sexy by any means during the games, he just stands tall as the QB of the defense.

What I think

Let’s be real… Middle (or inside LBs) are another disrespected position in football. They are the QB of the defense, but they are widely overlooked. I could sit here and quote film all day long, but that would probably bore you to death.

I will say this, Campbell can play.

There is no question about it. However, the NFL is getting lighter, and faster everyday. He is not those things. Awareness and smarts can help counteract those shortcomings, however. Those things he has. Campbell is a true throwback, and a leader of men.

So let’s see it, Jack.

My BIG Three Questions

1. How will his game translate to today’s pass-happy NFL?

2. Will he fit better in a 4-3 (Four down linemen, three LBs) defense, which is where I see him, or 3-4 (Three down linemen, four LBs)?

3. This is a Ron Rivera, Head Coach of the Washington Commanders, pick all day. Is that where he will end up?

How Campbell stacks up and game film reviewed

Draft Value: 3rd round

Pro comparison: Dallas Cowboy’s LB Leighton Vander-Esch

Game film reviewed:

Colorado State ‘ 21

Michigan ’22

Ohio State ’22

Iowa State ’22

William Yanish III is a life long football fan. He’s from the little town of Crawford, Colorado. Along the way, he’s lived in Dutch Harbor, Alaska and Brookings, Oregon. Quarterback Joe Montana was his idol growing up. A little bit of CTE from life’s adventures killed his dreams as a football player. Now, he is an aspiring writer and Draft Analyst at FirstRoundMock.com. He’s a fanatic with a dream, which is coming true.