Alabama Football and Kalen DeBoer have found their next defensive superstar as they near SEC portion of 2024 schedule

When Jihaad Campbell joined the Alabama Crimson Tide back in 2022 as a top tier five star linebacker recruit out of the illustrious IMG Academy expectations were high for him. But then of course, just like many Alabama defenders, he had to wait his turn to step onto the field into a full-time role. After developing into a good player last season for the Crimson Tide, he's off to a superstar kind of start in 2024.

Despite the imperfect game against USF for Alabama as a whole, Jihaad Campbell played near perfect for the second week in a row. He started off with a bang as he nearly snagged what would have been an easy pick-six in the first quarter. Then as Alabama began to shut USF down on offense he tallied a handful of tackles on the next few drives.

Despite surrendering a couple short receptions, Campbell was clearly playing fast and looking like he was having fun in the first half. And in the end he only gave up a total of nine receiving yards (after -4 allowed by him in Week 1) on the game, and dominated USF's receiving options in coverage.

As the second half ramped up and Alabama was still only up by one possession the Crimson Tide needed a game-changing impact player to step up. That's exactly what Campbell did. On a 3rd & 7 with USF firmly inside field goal range Campbell shot out of a cannon and sacked Byrum Brown for a loss of four yards. Immediately following that stop USF attempted a field goal and missed.

So far, when Alabama needs a big run stop, a sack, or crucial pass defended Jihaad Campbell is right there to make a play. He's averaging a 25% pass rush pressure rate (elite), 1.3 yards per reception against, and has already totaled close to 20 tackles through just two games this season. Campbell is clearly emerging as Alabama's best defensive star and could perhaps win some national awards by season's end.

As Alabama approaches the meat of their SEC schedule here soon they're going to need him to keep making plays if they want to push towards the first 12-Team College Football Playoff.

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