Nick Bolton’s rookie contract expires after this season, meaning the Kansas City Chiefs need to give him a significant raise or find a replacement in the 2025 NFL draft. An Alabama linebacker in the upcoming class could contribute as a rookie alongside Leo Chenal and Drue Tranquill.
Alabama defender Jihaad Campbell is an athletic freak with terrific arm length and speed for an off-ball linebacker. The Crimson Tide’s coaching staff sometimes deploys him as a pass rushing outside linebacker because of his explosiveness and bend to win as a speed rusher. Those traits translate to his work off the ball.
Campbell is a fluid athlete with the natural athleticism and short-area quickness to elude climbing linemen in the run game. He triggers downhill with the burst to fire through gaps and bring down the running back quickly. Campbell’s speed helps him flow horizontally and make plays against wide zone runs.
Offensive linemen and tight ends struggle to contain Campbell. His superior arm length and looseness help him separate from blocks and redirect to the football. He makes plenty of plays in pursuit and limits potential big plays by shedding blocks and wrapping up the running back.
Campbell is a unique asset in pass coverage. He’s still developing his natural feel for zone assignments but has the speed and range to bracket slot receivers and tight ends vertically. He appears to play with rare awareness and understanding of downfield coverages. Campbell projects as a second or third-round selection.
The Crimson Tide travel to Tennessee to play a pivotal game against the No. 11 Volunteers on Saturday, October 19 at 2:30 p.m. Both of Alabama’s and Tennessee’s last two games ended with one-score point differentials.
