LSU star offensive tackle Will Campbell opts out of Texas Bowl

LSU will be without one of its top players in the Texas Bowl, with offensive tackle Will Campbell confirming he will sit out to prepare for the NFL Draft.

Campbell informed Wilson Alexander of the The Advocate of his intentions to opt out, noting he’ll be there for the team nonetheless.

“I’m going to be there and support them guys,” Campbell said. “I want to be on the sideline and coaching all the young guys up.”

Will Campbell is widely considered one of the top offensive tackles in the college ranks and a potential first-round NFL Draft pick. He started all 12 games for LSU this season.

But this year was not the first year that Campbell has made a real impact for the Tigers. He’s now a three-year starter, having started 38 games — every appearance he has made — in that time span.

The 6-foot-6, 323-pound tackle is a menace to deal with on the edge.

In its scouting report of Will Campbell, The Draft Network lists excellent size and length, strength at the point of attack, physical temperament in the run game and plus athleticism as strengths.

The publication also lists balance and body control in the run game, timing shooting hands in pass protection and inconsistent technique as a pass-blocker as potential concerns.

Writes The Draft Network:

“Campbell has coachable improvements in both the run game and in pass pro. In the run game, Campbell’s aggressive nature makes him eager to make contact with defenders, which results in him lunging at defenders at times and losing balance and body control. That can result in him being shed from blocks or missing the block.

“In pass pro, Campbell needs to improve his hand usage. Campbell has to work on the timing of his punches and not become so eager to make contact. He must work on becoming patient and not exposing his hands so defenders can’t win the rep by defeating his hands and making him off balance and not in a position to recover.

“Overall, Campbell has the ideal profile of size, athleticism, and power wanted in a premier LT in the NFL. He just needs to clean up the coachable details of his game to reach his ceiling as a player.”

Prior to enrolling at LSU, Will Campbell was ranked as high four-star prospect and the No. 40 overall recruit in the 2022 recruiting class. He checked in as the No. 2 interior offensive lineman in the class and the No. 3 overall player from the state of Louisiana, hailing from Monroe (LA) Neville.

LSU will meet Baylor in the Texas Bowl on Dec. 31 in a game that kicks off at 3:30 p.m. ET.