Bama Central

Alabama LB Jihaad Campbell Declares for 2025 NFL Draft

The Crimson Tide's leading tackler is headed to the NFL.

Katie Windham

Nov 16, 2024; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Jihaad Campbell (11) celebrates after sacking Mercer quarterback Whitt Newbauer (8) at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Nov 16, 2024; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Jihaad Campbell (11) celebrates after sacking Mercer quarterback Whitt Newbauer (8) at Bryant-Denny Stadium. / Gary Cosby Jr. / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Alabama's leading tackler in 2025 is headed to the NFL. Jihaad Campbell declared his intentions for the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday afternoon.

"I am forever grateful to The University of Alabama, Coach Saban and Coach DeBoer for providing me with an opportunity to play the game I love at the highest levels and I am blessed to be a part of the Crimson Tide family," Campbell said in a social media statement. "This Bama brotherhood and the bonds I have built wiht all my teammtes is truly special. I also want to thank Mis sMary for all her help with academics, may she rest in peace.

"These last three years in Tuscaloosa have molded me into a better player and a better man, and this experience has been special and something that I will never forget.

"I feel I am ready now to take the next step in my career. I have been blessed to make it to this point, and I cannot wait to see what the future has in store for me. With that, I will officially be declaring for the NFL Draft.

"Bama Nation- I will miss you. We have the greatest fans in college football and your support these three years has meant the world to me. Forever, Roll Tide!"

Campbell had 117 tackles including 11.5 for loss with five sacks. Even with Deontae Lawson as a team captain at his same position, Campbell really stepped up as leader on this year's defense. He was a two-year starter for Alabama at inside linebacker.

He is Alabama's first underclassmen to declare for the 2025 NFL Draft so far.

Read more: Jalen Milroe Tipping Off the Defense: What I Noticed In Alabama's 19-13 Loss to Michigan

Alabama Loses Fifth Wide Receiver to Transfer Portal

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Katie Windham
KATIE WINDHAM

Katie Windham is the assistant editor for BamaCentral, primarily covering football, basketball gymnastics and softball. She is a two-time graduate of the University of Alabama and has covered a variety of Crimson Tide athletics since 2019 for outlets like The Tuscaloosa News, The Crimson White and the Associated Press before joining BamaCentral full time in 2021. Windham has covered College Football Playoff games, the Women's College World Series, NCAA March Madness, SEC Tournaments and championships in multiple sports. 

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