No matter how good you were in college, you still need to prove yourself at the NFL Scouting Combine. It’s an annual exhibition where top draft prospects gather at one place to make an impression before April’s NFL draft. Not being able to stand out at the Combine could ideally tank your draft position. With that being said, LSU’s star offensive lineman Will Campbell is almost certain to be a top-10 pick. However, there’s a concern with his arm length. He is not expected to meet the required standards of playing in the O-line. And that has led to him addressing those issues himself—in order to keep his possible suitors on the clock.

See, the Patriots will obviously miss out on Penn State’s Abdul Carter and Colorado’s Travis Hunter by the time it’s their chance to pick. And with a clear need at offensive tackle, the Pats are expected to make a move for Campbell. The 21-year-old is coming off a huge 2024 for the Tigers. Winning Jacobs Blocking Trophy for being a top O-line player in the SEC. Earning a consensus first-team All-American in his last year in college—is no way an easy feat to achieve. However, analysts at the Combine believe Campbell doesn’t clear the threshold to play as an offensive tackle in the NFL.

So, with questions hovering over his long-term future as a tackle among the elites. Campbell decided to share his take on not having the usual characteristics of an NFL tackle. “I can play tackle at an elite level. You can go look at my tape, there’s not one play on there that when I get beat, you say, that’s because he has shorter arms. Obviously, I don’t have stereotypical offensive tackle arms. But I’m aware of that and that’s something that I use every week to my game plan and preparation on how to attack different defenders.” Here’s the thing: Typically an NFL offensive tackle’s arm length needs to be over 34 inches. Anything below raises concerns about their capability to stop elite pass-rushers. 

Like having 34-inch arms gives you an instant edge to stop bull rushers from impacting your team’s offensive plays. So, there’s a feeling Campbell may have to play as a guard or center once he reaches the NFL. Those are the positions where arm length doesn’t have significant say in your plays. A guard or a center mostly have to deal with defenders head-on. And a player of Campbell’s calibre who stands at 6-foot-6 and weighs 320 pounds might make him an instant hit in any O-line. Yet he may not get his dream of continuing to play as a tackle.

So, only time will tell what the verdict on Campbell’s draft stock will be. His measurements will be taken on Sunday. Once those results come out, not only the Pats but also Campbell could gain clarity on his future position in the NFL. And you know who else could play a different position than he is expected to once the new season arrives—Travis Hunter. Don’t be surprised if he changes his stance on playing as a CB considering teams are looking at him as an elite receiver. Or both as per his wishes.

Mike Vrabel gives Travis Hunter a history lesson at the Combine

Patriots probably won’t get their hands on a two-way prospect like Travis Hunter. However, it still wasn’t enough for Mike Vrabel to engage in talks with the reigning Heisman Trophy winner. Since reports came out that Hunter was leaning towards a career as a CB in the NFL. His interview at the Combine painted a completely different picture.

He stated his utmost desire to break the norms that players in the NFL can’t play two positions. “They say nobody has ever done it the way I do it. I tell them. I’m just different.” See, Hunter’s impact on both sides of the ball was clearly undeniable. Over 150 receptions, 1,979 receiving yards, and 20 TDs on the offense, while breaking up 11 passes and intercepting 4 as a corner. Those aren’t the numbers you could find anywhere else, at least for the next few generations.

However, Hunter is actually not the only player who stated his desire to play both on the offense and defense. There’s Mike Vrabel, who knows a bit about contributing both ways. Yes, he was a full-time LB and a fiery D-line member. But Vrabel also caught 12 TD passes in the red zone. And that’s the thing he jokingly referred to Travis when they connected at the Combine. “I’m sure Travis doesn’t even know. We were kind of jawing back and forth as he left last night and I said, You’re not the only one that played two ways, son. Like there was some other guys that did this too.”

Maybe Hunter will go on and redefine the NFL’s stereotypes of players not having enough fuel to play both ways. And who knows, he could better Vrabel’s record in the red zone. While it will probably not happen under him, but it will surely happen elsewhere once he steps into NFL life.