Bama Central

Former Clemson Commit Edge Rusher Jihaad Campbell Signs with Alabama

Another IMG Academy prospect is headed to Tuscaloosa.

Katie Windham

The Crimson Tide has picked up another Early Signing Day commitment. This time it's SI99 edge rusher Jihaad Campbell who announced his decision for Alabama via Instagram live on Wednesday afternoon. 

The IMG product was a longtime Clemson commit until the Tigers' defensive coordinator Brent Venables left Clemson to become the head coach of Oklahoma. This opened the door for the Crimson Tide among others for Campbell's talents. He took trips to Alabama and Texas A&M last weekend, two of the teams in the running for the top overall 2022 class along with Georgia. 

Alabama signee and top-five player Jeremiah Alexander worked hard to get Campbell to Tuscaloosa when he visited last weekend after decommitting from the Tigers. Alexander is the No. 1 player at the position according to SI All-American while Campbell comes in at No. 10. 

Coming in at No. 97 in the SI99, Campbell is a gifted pass rusher with physical length and explosiveness who will fit in nicely along the defensive front for Alabama. At 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, he currently has a more slender frame but will have time to bulk up in Alabama's strength and conditioning program.

The Crimson Tide now has more SI99 signees than any other program. 

Originally from Timber Creek in New Jersey, Campbell transferred to football powerhouse IMG Academy prior to the 2021 high school season. He becomes the third IMG Academy prospect in this class alone joining offensive lineman Tyler Booker and the country's top tight end in Jaleel Skinner which continues the strong connection between Bradenton and Tuscaloosa. 

JIHAAD CAMPBELL

LB, 6-3, 215, Erial, N.J./IMG Academy

An elite outside linebacker/edge player … a four-star recruit ranked as the No. 23 player nationally in the Top247 while 247Sports ranked him as the third-best edge player in the country and the No. 4 player in Florida … the 247Composite’s 78th player nationally, the No. 9 edge and No. 11 recruit in the state … ESPN.com’s No. 11 outside linebacker and the No. 120 player in the ESPN300 -… listed as the No. 50 player in the Southeast Region and the No. 13 player in Florida by ESPN … Rivals.com rated him 122nd in the Rivals250 and the No. 9 outside linebacker … played his first three seasons of prep football at Timber Creek High School in Erial, N.J., for head coach Brian Wright … spent his senior season at IMG Academy for head coach Thomas “Pepper” Johnson … in 2020 at Timber Creek, Campbell played in seven games at receiver and defensive end … caught 15 passes for 249 yards and two touchdowns while recording 45 tackles and seven sacks … chose Alabama over Clemson, Florida, Georgia and Texas A&M.

This story will be updated. 

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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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