There are draft moments—and then there are moments that freeze time. For LSU’s Will Campbell, his moment came. The star offensive lineman has heard his name called in the 2025 NFL Draft. Mr. Louisiana just got a love letter from the New England Patriots. An anchor on the offensive line in Baton Rouge, Campbell is now on his way to Foxborough, ready to write a new chapter in his football fairy tale. Before he strapped the pads, the No. 4 pick ended his night with 4 words.

But before he swore an oath to protect franchise QB Drake Maye, Campbell had one of the most emotional moments of the entire draft. The 6-foot-6 mauler with a lion’s heart cracked. Not from a blindside blitz, but from the weight of a lifelong dream coming true. His voice trembled, his eyes welled up, and then came the tears. “Just all the hardwork,” Campbell said, fighting through emotion.

Moments later, he fully let go, breaking into tears while sharing what the moment meant: “I’ve worked my entire life to be up here, to be able to get my name called by a franchise like New England. It means everything to me. I’m going to fight and die to protect them with everything I’ve got.” The Patriots didn’t just draft a lineman—they drafted a warrior with a cause. Pats may have just found their next foxhole fighter.

Drafted No. 4 overall, Will Campbell wasn’t just a top pick—he was a perfect fit. Turns out, he’d been manifesting this move for months. According to reports, the Louisiana native told Eliot Wolf last fall during a visit in Baton Rouge that he wanted to be a Patriot. Now, his wish has turned into reality—and he’s wasting no time laying the groundwork for a new dynasty in Foxborough.

“I’m super excited,” Campbell said after the pick. “He’s a heck of a player. A heck of a leader. He’s the commander of our offense, so I’m not only excited to play with him but the rest of the team. I’m excited for the future we have in Foxborough and I think we’ve got a special season coming.” The “he” Campbell’s referring to? None other than year 2 QB Maye, whom Campbell vowed to protect like a castle wall around royalty. And if his résumé at LSU is any indication, Maye just gained a human shield built for battle.

Across 2,451 snaps over 38 college games—37 of them at left tackle. Campbell allowed just two sacks in his final two seasons. That’s less of a stat and more of a body of work carved in stone. It’s no wonder the Patriots brass were sold. New England’s offensive line was in shambles last season, ranking near the bottom in both pass-block win rate (51%) and run-block win rate (67%). Those trenches are now about to get a whole lot nastier—and sturdier. And Campbell? He’s here for it. He’s said before that his favorite part of football is the physicality.

Not touchdowns. Not trophies. The war in the dirt. That mindset is going to mesh beautifully with head coach Mike Vrabel’s vision for an attacking, in-your-face brand of football in Foxborough. So here he is. A Patriot by choice. A protector by nature.

Will Campbell already wins over the Pats—and Drake Maye’s fired up

If there was any doubt about how Drake Maye felt about the Patriots drafting Will Campbell, that got cleared up real quick. The second-year QB didn’t wait long to repost Campbell’s post-draft interview with a fiery endorsement: “Love this guy already LFG.” Safe to say the bromance is already brewing in Foxborough.

Coach Vrabel was equally fired up during his press conference after the pick, raving about what Campbell brings to the table. “Adding Will to our football team, it’s about a foundational piece, a young 21-year-old that’s mature beyond his years,” Vrabel said. “He’s a leader. He’s durable. He’s physical, dependable, accountable, a quick study… He made a huge impact on us, and we’re excited about adding him.”

Now imagine Campbell teaming up with 6-foot-3, 350-pound Mike Onwenu on that O-line. That’s a beefy barricade any defensive front should fear. Sure, there’s been some draft-day hand-wringing over Campbell’s arm length, but he’s got a legit shot to stick at left tackle rather than kicking inside. The Patriots may have just found their long-term blindside protector—and Maye’s already all-in on the partnership.