HOUSTON — After his last LSU game, Will Campbell gathered on the field with his friends and family. They took pictures and he hugged his mom, all of them savoring the last time they would stand there together.
Campbell knew at the time his career was over after three years as LSU’s starting left tackle. A projected first-round pick, he confirmed Wednesday that he opted out of the Texas Bowl to begin preparing for the NFL draft.
“Whenever you know this is the last time I'm going to ever walk off this field with a jersey and a helmet in my hands, it's a surreal moment,” Campbell told The Advocate before a presentation of the Lombardi Award. “It's a blessing, but also, it can be very emotional. And it was for me.”
Campbell grew up in Monroe wanting to play for LSU. His parents have a picture of him wearing an LSU helmet as a young boy at home. He turned into the highest-rated in-state offensive lineman since Cam Robinson in 2014, creating high expectations, and Campbell completed a decorated career.
LSU coach Brian Kelly called him a “stabilizing influence” within the program. After taking over the position during his first spring practice, Campbell started 38 games. He was a freshman All-American, two-time first-team All-Southeastern Conference selection and LSU's third finalist for the Lombardi Award, which went to Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks.
On Wednesday, the SEC named Campbell and Banks co-winners of the Jacobs Blocking Trophy, which has gone to the top offensive lineman in the conference since 1935. Campbell was the seventh LSU player to receive the honor and the first since La’el Collins in 2014.
“The biggest thing for me was I always wanted to leave the o-line room better than I found it,” Campbell said. “I felt like over the past three years, I've tried my hardest to do that in any way, shape or form that I could. Hopefully, I did.”
In the spring, Campbell could become LSU’s first offensive lineman drafted in the first round since Alan Faneca in 1998. He feels prepared. Recently, Campbell figured out he blocked 13 first- or second-round picks during his career, a number that includes current players projected to get selected in the 2025 draft.
At one point during his career, Campbell went 29 straight games without allowing a sack, according to Pro Football Focus. The streak ended during his last game.
“I feel like he's stiff in stature,” South Carolina defensive end Kyle Kennard said. “Not his flexibility or mobility, but his pass blocking set. He doesn't get too wide or get too far inside. He pretty much stays on his exact tract, which makes it hard to rush around him.”
This year was not a perfect ending for Campbell. He wanted to compete for a national championship, but LSU went 8-4 with a three-game losing streak. While an experienced offensive line allowed the fewest sacks (15) in the SEC, it had issues in the run game and with pre-snap penalties.
Campbell committed seven false starts. Though he called the penalties “unacceptable,” he pointed out offensive linemen have to react quickly without being able to see the ball. Unexpected pre-snap noises, Campbell said while snapping his fingers, could have messed with his anticipation.
“I feel like we were a little excessive with it as a unit this year,” Campbell said. “But at the end of the day, there's no excuse to it. The thing that sucked for us is because some of them were in critical moments that hurt us, but we still managed to get ourselves out of it.”
Next year, LSU will have to replace at least three starting offensive linemen. In addition to Campbell leaving, left guard Garrett Dellinger and right guard Miles Frazier exhausted their eligibility. Right tackle Emery Jones has not decided if he will enter the draft. The other starter, redshirt freshman center DJ Chester, can return after an uneven year as a first-time starter.
LSU only has two other offensive linemen who have started a game: redshirt freshmen Tyree Adams and Paul Mubenga. Though LSU has recruited several highly regarded linemen in recent years, the team is expected to look for help in the transfer portal without more proven experience on the roster.
“It's in their hands,” Campbell said. “They have the physical ability, and that's what (offensive line coach Brad) Davis always preaches to them. He can't want it for you more than you want it for yourself. They have all the tools. Now, it's time for them to go put the work in and make themselves get ready for the season.”
On Sunday, Campbell will move to Frisco, Texas, to begin training for the pre-draft process. He wants to work on his technique as a right tackle after playing left tackle his entire life, trying to show teams he can be versatile. NFL teams may also consider him as a guard.
“I want to bring to the organization a guy that they can count on, a pivotal point for the team, a franchise guy,” Campbell said. “I want to be the face of an organization. Whatever team gets me, I'm going to be excited for it, and I'm going to go win a Super Bowl.”
After his last game, Campbell took his jersey home with him. He kept that, the gold jersey LSU wore the week before and uniforms from the two bowl games he played in. He plans to hang them in his house one day as mementos of his career.
“I just want LSU to succeed,” Campbell said. “Even if I'm not there, I'm still part of the family… They have all the right pieces. They have a lot of young guys that are going to have to step up, and they will. They're ready for the task.”