NFL fans hail ‘freak of nature’ and urge their team to draft star after scintillating combine performance

Each year, the NFL Combine produces athletes that impress scouts with their astounding athleticism. It appears this year’s early front-runner in that is Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell.

Campbell is in Indianapolis with many other NFL hopefuls who will show off their skills in front of the league’s top decision makers.

The New Jersey native was already high among his position group after totaling 119 tackles, five sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception last season.

But at the combine, Campbell stunned fans and scouts with his blistering speed as he clocked an unofficial 4.52 in the 40-yard-dash.

That sprint put Campbell tied for the third-fastest linebackers speed at the combine, but considering how high he already was on some draft boards, it’s particularly notable.

As such, fans of the sport reacted with awe as some began begging their teams to draft him.

‘He moved so fluid in drills mind you he has pass rush upside. Incredible day made himself some bread,’ wrote one user on X, formerly Twitter.

One Alabama football fan called him the ‘Best linebacker in the draft,’ while another fan posted, ‘Welcome to the first round Jihaad.’

‘If he doesn’t go top 15 I’ll be surprised,’ said another user.

One post read, ‘That man just made himself a lot of money.’ 

Fans of the Bills, Lions, Eagles, Falcons, Saints, and Bengals all voiced their hopes for their respective teams to draft him as well.

Campbell currently sits 15th overall on the ‘big board’ of ESPN’s Mel Kiper and second on his rankings for off-ball linebackers behind Georgia’s Jalon Walker.

As for mock drafts, Kiper has Campbell going 19th overall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

Other mocks include CBS having him picked 28th overall by the Detroit Lions and The Athletic projecting that the Philadelphia Eagles might take him with the last pick in the first round.