Philadelphia Eagles select Jihaad Campbell in first round of 2025 NFL Draft

The Philadelphia Eagles have selected Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. He was taken with the No. 31 overall pick in the draft.

Campbell, 21, is coming off a highly productive three-year career with the Crimson Tide. He became a starter in the middle of Alabama’s defense midway through the 2023 season, finishing with 66 total tackles, four tackles for loss, one interception and half a sack.

Campbell earned First Team All-SEC honors in 2024. In 13 games, he tallied 117 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, five sacks, two forced fumbles and one interception. In total, Campbell wrapped up his collegiate career with 184 total tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles.

As a recruit, Campbell was ranked as a five-star prospect and the No. 17 overall recruit in the 2022 class, according to the On3 Industry Rankings. The now linebacker checked in as the No. 2 edge in the class and No. 3 overall player from the state of Florida, hailing from IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.).

What NFL Draft analysts are saying about Jihaad Campbell

To most draft analysts, Campbell was the No. 1 linebacker prospect in this year’s class. NFL Network‘s Lance Zierlein wrote the following in evaluating Campbell:

“Campbell has the build and traits of an Alabama linebacker but might need to upgrade in some areas. He doesn’t play with early instincts or play recognition and is inconsistent in challenging blockers and leveraging his run fits,” Zierlein wrote. “Campbell uses his speed and athleticism to help mitigate mistakes and get to the football at a relatively high rate.

“He’s a rangy, consistent open-field tackler who excels on third downs as a fluid blitzer and impressive cover talent. The elite traits and athletic talent will be tantalizing, but the best way to utilize him might be as a full-time 3-4 rush linebacker, where he can play more proactively instead of reactively as an off-ball linebacker.”

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