LSU offensive tackle made good on his promise at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis last Saturday, running the 40-yard dash faster than many expected.
The 6-foot-6, 319-pound lineman posted an impressive 4.98-second time, making him one of only five offensive linemen to break the five-second mark. A key debate among draft analysts regarding the 2024 consensus All-American is whether he will play tackle or guard in the NFL due to his arm length (32-5/8 inches).
“I believe my tape speaks for itself in proving that I can play tackle at an elite level,” he said. “You won’t find a play where I get beaten and think, ‘Oh, that happened because of his arm length.’ I know my arms aren’t the prototypical length for a tackle, but I use that awareness to strategize and prepare each week against different defenders.”
A Monroe, Louisiana native, Campbell started all 38 games he played for LSU over the past three seasons. Growing up, he looked up to former LSU and NFL lineman Andrew Whitworth, who also hails from West Monroe, LA.
“Any offensive lineman from the 318 [area code] looks up to him,” Campbell said. “Guys like him, Cam Robinson, and others. But when I was in high school, the player I really admired in college was Penei Sewell.”
Checked Box Off the Field
While on-field drills and testing dominate the spotlight at the NFL Combine, medical evaluations are just as crucial—if not more so. That was especially true for Ohio State offensive tackle Josh Simmons (6-5, 317), who revealed last Saturday that his recovery from a torn patellar tendon, suffered in October, is progressing ahead of schedule.
“We’re making great progress,” Simmons said. “I’m way ahead of schedule, so I should be fully cleared by mid-April, just in time for a strong pro day.”
A native of San Diego, Simmons began his college career with two seasons at San Diego State before transferring to Ohio State for his final two years. He believes he made significant strides from the 2023 season to 2024, largely due to increased confidence.
“I put in extra effort with my preparation,” he said. “So when I stepped on the field, it felt like taking a test where I already knew all the answers.”
Late Bloomer
Missouri T Armand Membou was a late bloomer in the football world. He started playing in eighth grade, began his freshman year at Lee’s Summit North High School in Missouri at 5-11, 185 before a growth spurt. Membou was 6-3, 270 as a junior.
“I remember back my junior year I started getting offers, my high school coach, he sat me down and said, ‘Hey I think if you take this seriously, I think you can be a pro,’ ” Membou said at the Combine this past Saturday.
Like Will Campbell, Membou was one of five offensive linemen with a sub 5-seocnd 40-yard dash (4.91) with mixed projections on if he would play guard or tackle in the pros.
“I think most teams think I have the ability to play tackle, but still some flexibility and want to see if I can play guard,” he said. … “It doesn’t matter. Just suit me up.”
Knocked Down, Up Again
With experience playing running back as well as both offensive and defensive line in high school, Oregon tackle Josh Conerly (6-5, 311) takes pride in his football IQ.
“I believe the more you understand the game, the more comfortably you can play,” he said last Saturday in Indianapolis. “When plays were called, I understood the reasoning behind them. I also spent a lot of time with quarterbacks, learning how they process the game, where they place the ball, and why they make certain checks.”
At the Combine, Conerly met with the Jets and reflected on his role in protecting the blindside of two Heisman Trophy finalists—Bo Nix, the No. 12 overall pick in 2024, and Dillon Gabriel. Like Nix, Gabriel also participated in this year’s Senior Bowl, where Conerly had a solid week in Mobile, AL. However, he went viral for losing a 1-on-1 rep to projected first-round edge rusher Mike Green while playing right tackle, a position he had never played before.
“This is football,” Conerly said. “Everybody gets beat at some point, and I did. Simple as that. I’ve been in those situations before, and no matter what, you have to get back up and keep fighting.”
