He arrived to the University of Alabama as a five-star in the 2022 signing class, but New Jersey native is becoming a defensive enforcer for the Crimson Tide.
Jihaad Campbell, a junior inside linebacker, leads the Tide in total tackles (20) and solo tackles (14) after two games.
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He flew all over the field versus Western Kentucky and South Florida, creating several plays. Campbell nearly created an interception against the Bulls, but he’s assisting a unit that has allowed one touchdown this season. Alabama’s defense has allowed eight points per game, and Campbell has 2.5 tackles for loss, half a sack, and a pass breakup. South Florida had success running the football with quarterback Byrum Brown; however, Campbell collected 11 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, half a sack, and a breakup in a 42-16 victory for the Tide. He has a mindset to dominate everything, and Kane Wommack loves that about him.
“Jihaad is a very gifted athlete,” Wommack said Monday.
“But, he plays the game the way it is suppose to be played from the linebacker position. He is relentless in his pursuit of the ball. He plays with an extremely high motor, has great juice and energy, and we always talk about effort and finishing. It is four to six seconds from point A to point B with violent intentions when we get there, and he embodies that. I am proud of the effort he is playing with, and I think that is a direct contributor to him leading us in tackles through two games.”
Campbell will take his enforcer mentality on the road Saturday to Camp Randall Stadium to face Wisconsin.
The matchup is set for 11 a.m. CT.
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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
