2022 snapshot profile of Hawkeyes LB Jack Campbell

Surpassing his 2021 season might mean a first-round selection in the 2023 NFL draft for Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell. The 6-foot-5, 243 pound linebacker out of Cedar Falls High School led the nation with 143 total tackles last season.

His 10.2 tackles per game ranked 10th nationally, trailing only Northwestern’s Chris Bergin and Wisconsin’s Leo Chenal’s 11.8 and 10.4 tackles per game, respectively.

Bergin earned an invite to the Chicago Bears’ rookie minicamp and Chenal was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the third round of the 2022 NFL draft. Chenal just inked his rookie deal with K.C.

That means Campbell is both the leading returning tackler nationally and the leading returning tackler per game in the Big Ten. After a season that ended with Campbell picking up first-team All-Big Ten honors by the Big Ten’s media and coaches, the expectations are sky high heading into 2022. Campbell was also one of 16 semifinalists for the Butkus Award, which is presented annually to the nation’s top linebacker.

Naturally, Campbell has enjoyed his fair share of praise throughout the offseason. ESPN’s Tom VanHaaren selected Campbell as his choice for the defensive player not named Will Anderson Jr. that would have the biggest impact on the 2022 college football season back in March.

Meanwhile, 247Sports touted Campbell as one of its top 2023 NFL draft stock risers. Pro Football Focus acknowledged Campbell as the top Power Five run stopper and he was named alongside teammate Riley Moss as one of two Hawkeyes on the Lott IMPACT Trophy watchlist. That pair was also selected as first-team All-Big Ten choices by Athlon Sports.

Following a season that put Campbell on the national radar, let’s take a look back at his Iowa career thus far and examine what’s ahead for the star linebacker in 2022.

Preseason player profile

Hometown: Cedar Falls, Iowa

Ht: 6-5

Wt: 243

Class in 2022: Senior

247Sports composite ranking

2019 three-star / No. 44 outside linebacker / No….