Former Ole Miss defender on verge of NFL breakout after overcoming injuries
The NFL preseason provides plenty of opportunity for players looking to carve out a role for themselves on a roster. There were a handful of standouts in Week One of the preseason, but one player who took a major advantage of his opportunities is former Ole Miss Rebel and current Tennessee Titans linebacker Chance Campbell. […]
The NFL preseason provides plenty of opportunity for players looking to carve out a role for themselves on a roster. There were a handful of standouts in Week One of the preseason, but one player who took a major advantage of his opportunities is former Ole Miss Rebel and current Tennessee Titans linebacker Chance Campbell.
Campbell is entering his third season in the NFL after being selected by the Titans in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. After spending his entire rookie season on injured reserve, Campbell played in four games for the Titans in 2023, recording three combined tackles in a special teams role. Unfortunately, Campbell missed the Titans final 10 games due to injury, which only further derailed his momentum.
While it hasn't been a smooth start to his NFL career, Campbell finds himself in a competition for the Titans' third inside linebacker spot behind starters Kenneth Murray and Jack Gibbens. But after Campbell's performance in Saturday's preseason opener against the San Francisco 49ers, he has established himself as the current leader in the clubhouse for this important role.
Campbell was a wrecking ball in the middle of the Titans defense finishing the game with a team-high nine tackles (five solo) to go along with one sack, one tackle for loss, and a game-sealing interception on the final play of the game.
The Titans entered training camp with serious concerns about the depth at the inside linebacker position. Tennessee used a fourth-round pick on Cedric Gray, who many figured to compete for the starting job. However, Gray was held out of the game due to a shoulder injury, which opened the door for Campbell to sprint right through it.
One of Campbell's main competitors is fellow Ole Miss football alum, Otis Reese IV. Although Campbell was the star of the show on Saturday, Reese also impressed with four tackles and one tackle for loss. There is a legitimate shot that both former Rebels not only make the team, but also serve in key roles on game day during the regular season.
The Titans should be a team to watch for Rebels fans, especially during the preseason, as Campbell and Reese will log plenty of snaps side-by-side in the middle of Tennessee's defense. Hopefully this early momentum launches both linebackers into prominent roles as the preseason progresses.
