Lions love culture fit with new LB Jack Campbell: ‘He is a Dan Campbell guy’

ALLEN PARK — The Detroit Lions might have surprised most with their first-round selection of Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell at Pick 18.

But it’s hard not to see the fit between these two sides after looking into the fit for a moment. And Lions linebacker coach Kelvin Sheppard called Jack Campbell their top linebacker in the draft, for those wondering. Sheppard added that after he, head coach Dan Campbell and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn met with the Iowa linebacker, the coaches looked at each other and said, “Damn, that’s going to be hard to top.”

“And there’s a couple guys during this process that kinda stuck with me, like, ‘oh, wow,’” Sheppard said Thursday night from team headquarters. “And Jack was at the top of that list. Like I would say, we left our room — me, Dan, A.G. looked at each other and was like, ‘Damn, that’s going to be hard to top right there,’ because it was just exceptional.

“His knowledge of the game speaks for itself and shows on the tape. But it’s the passion that I don’t know if people are ready for quite something like — He was literally just crying in tears, I’m still fired up about it. Just fired up about the opportunity to coach a player of that caliber.”

Sheppard added that Jack Campbell’s athleticism also speaks for itself, and that it’s “exceptional what this player can do at his size.” He doubled down that what jumped him up Detroit’s board was his passion for the game and how it drives his life.

“He’s up all the game because he loves it,” Sheppard said. “And I think that’s what makes him special and what kinda pushed him up.

“He is a Detroit guy. He is a Dan Campbell guy. He’s a culture fit, immediately. He was a captain. I actually was just joking him on the phone that (new Packers EDGE) Lukas Van Ness, we had on a top 30 (visit) and I thought that he talked more about Jack on his visit than he did about himself. And that resonated with us, because that’s a guy that just went top 15 tonight, as well, that spoke glowingly about this player as a leader and the things he brought to the team.”

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And Jack Campbell described himself at the scouting combine as an “amphibious” green dot linebacker who is an introvert off the field. But first in line to get yelled at for a mistake on the field, before adding that Dan Campbell flavor in his response.

“I love having that green dot on the back of my head,” the linebacker said at the combine. “If I make a mistake, I kinda like being able to be the first one to raise my hand and just get a bunch of chewing tobacco in my eyes …”

It’s so much more than a memorable quote and gritty energy, though.

Jack Campbell brings another flavor to Detroit’s defense through his impressive production and coverage chops in an ultra-athletic 6-foot-4, 249-pound frame. The linebacker also leaves Iowa with back-to-back seasons with 100-plus tackles. He posted 265, including nine for loss, two sacks, two forced fumbles and four interceptions through the previous two seasons.

The Lions have an intriguing linebacker room, with team captain Alex Anzalone back on a new three-year deal. Run-thumping specialist Malcolm Rodriguez and the unique athlete Derrick Barnes remain in the mix, too. But none of those names have the size or speed Campbell brings, not to mention coverage chops. Pro Football Focus ranked Campbell second among FBS linebackers during the 2022 regular season. The linebacker received strong run-defense grades, with the second-best marks in coverage at his position.

“I just feel like I’m going to bring Jack Campbell,” the new Lions linebacker said after being drafted. “For me, just a humble guy ready to learn. When I step foot on the field, man, I’m going to give it everything I’ve got every single snap, and I feel like that’s what you’ve got in me. A good human being who’s always going to put his teammates first and come in there ready to work, ask no questions, roll up my sleeves and get the job done, no matter how long it takes. I’m just excited to be in Detroit, and man, I’m honestly just ready to get there right now. I’m super appreciative just of the opportunity, first and foremost.”