Another competitor in the ‘Best CFB player’ race? Just as Shedeur Sanders, the rumored No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL draft, and Travis Hunter, a potential 2024 Heisman winner, were leading the pack, they found a new competitor in the race – Will Campbell. Ranked among the top 10 players by 247 Sports’ Blake Brockermeyer, Campbell is the offensive tackle phenom from LSU.

After all, there is a reason why Brian Kelly awarded the historic #7 jersey to Campbell. The iconic #7 Purple and Gold jersey has only been awarded to the finest of players in LSU history like Bret Jones, all of whom have done it justice. Kelly sees the potential in Campbell and the OT is creating all the anticipation surrounding him as the best offensive tackle entering the 2024 season.

The 6’6, 320-pounder returning starter has played every offensive snap in 15 of LSU’s 17 games against SEC opponents in his 2 years at LSU. One of the 3 finalists from LSU for the Joe Monroe award in 2023, Will Campbell aided his former teammate Jayden Daniels in his journey towards the Heisman Championship last year. This year, however, Campbell is set to make the season all about him.

Jacob Hester, the guest on the Next Round Live’s podcast and a former Chargers player, thinks that Campbell is “the best player in college football.” Yes, “that kind of a player.” Thanks to his quick feet, good hands, and outstanding command of technique as a pass protector, Will Campbell is also the “top offensive tackle in the country” for Brockermeyer.

A big win for Brian Kelly and Co. Not only because they have Will Campbell, the 2022 LSU offensive lineman of the year, on their roster but also because they have an offensive line strong enough to match and accompany the junior year OT.

The backbone of Will Campbell: LSU’s formidable O-Line

During his interview, Hester also highlights how in this season, it is not just about the OT whose performance the NCAA is anticipating the most. It is also about LSU setting itself as the top seed across conferences, thanks to the fierce offensive lineup.

DJ Chester, the OT taking up the center position this season, was the No.54 recruit nationally per 247 Sports in 2023. Per Hester, Chester would also stand true to the benchmark Charles Turner III left in the 2023 season because he has also played in the Senior Bowl, which is a big deal.

Next, we have OT Emery Jones beside Will Campbell, bolstering the O-Line. For Hester, Jones is “not far behind Will Campbell,” since he is also a “top 5 tackle in the country.” And of course, to top all of them off as the perfect cherry on top, we have Garret Dellinger, the much-talked-about 2025 NFL draft QB prospect, who is set to make records in his last year at LSU. Safe to say, all the teams like Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter’s Colorado, who are planning on becoming the top seeds, have tough standards to match.