Titans rookie taking advantage of new opportunities
Tennessee Titans rookie linebacker Chance Campbell burst onto the scene after transferring from Maryland to Ole Miss for his senior season of college football. Playing under Lane Kiffin and DJ Durkin in Oxford, Campbell had a big season that landed him on the radar of NFL front offices. Campbell racked up six sacks, 109 tackles, […]
Tennessee Titans rookie linebacker Chance Campbell burst onto the scene after transferring from Maryland to Ole Miss for his senior season of college football. Playing under Lane Kiffin and DJ Durkin in Oxford, Campbell had a big season that landed him on the radar of NFL front offices.
Campbell racked up six sacks, 109 tackles, and 12.5 tackles for loss in 2021, and would end up being a sixth round pick by the Titans in the 2022 NFL Draft.
While his physicality was praised, scouts wondered if Campbell's athleticism would hinder him playing in coverage. Here's an excerpt from NFL.com's prospect analysis on Campbell ahead of the draft:
"Campbell is big, strong and physical but his lack of athleticism and functional speed will tether him to the box. He's able to bang between the tackles and does a nice job of locating the football when playing the run. Campbell sees runners separate from his pursuit when plays flow wide, and he's a liability in coverage. Special teams experience and his overall physicality may help him some, but getting to plays and finishing them will always be a challenge."
With final roster cuts coming next week, and his rookie season beginning shortly after, Campbell has been having a really strong training camp.
The Maryland native has had a huge impact on the Titans special teams unit thus far, something he knows is important to his new coaching staff. He's also found his way onto the field for opportunities on the defensive side of the ball, and he's done a nice job of taking advantage.
Campbell got the start during Saturday's preseason game against the Bucs, and recorded four tackles, one tackle for loss, and one pass break up in the game.
After Monday's practice, Campbell emphasized to me how important the third phase of the game is to the Titans organization and himself as a player.
"Special teams is huge. I have a lot of ground to make up there," Campbell told me. "I know that [special teams] is important really important to this team and really important to me. it definitely starts with special teams."
As I shared on SportsTalk Mississippi late last week, Campbell's willingness and ability to contribute and make plays on special teams has likely secured himself a place on the Titans 53-man roster.
So far in camp, Campbell has driven his stock price up. His defensive opportunities will continue to come as long as he continues to take advantage, and his NFL growth with continue as he gets more reads on NFL field.
He has a knack for finding the ball, and he's a physical tackler that can severely disrupt an opposing run game.
Campbell will need to work on developing the speed of his game and his quickness in coverage, but punishing a ball carrier always has a place on roster.
The Titans are getting really good value out of their sixth round pick.
Image via Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
