After Offseason Position Change, Jihaad Campbell Thriving In Reserve Roll

It's never easy to wait your turn. 

For Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell, week-to-week injuries from Deontae Lawson and Georgia transfer Trezmen Marshall have opened the door for meaningful playing time. 

Having tallied 61 tackles (29 solo) on the season to go along with three pass deflections, an interception and two fumble recoveries with a touchdown, Campbell looks better with each new game — with some touting the true sophomore and former edge prospect turned hard-hitter as the Crimson Tide's next great inside linebacker. 

For Alabama head coach Nick Saban, Campbell's progress has been eye-popping. 

"Well, he makes a ton of plays," Saban said on Thursday. "He's very athletic. He can run. He's fast. He's a good football player. It's a new position for him, so he's made consistent improvement throughout the season, understanding what he needs to do at his position to execute his role in that particular call. But his production and performance has been really, really, really good for us. We certainly needed him because we've had a lot of injuries at that position throughout the season." 

In week seven versus Tennessee, Campbell had his best game — amassing 10 tackles with and a pivotal 24-yard fumble recovery touchdown. As a result of his efforts, Campbell was named the Bronko Nagurski National Player of the Week. 

After the performance, Crimson Tide edge-rushing star Dallas Turner was complimentary of Campbell's development.

“Jihaad, he’s maturing every week," Turner said. "He’s starting to show the potential that he has, the ability that he has, too. He’s a freak athlete. He’s a very good player. He’s stepping up for us a lot.”

Even as a reserve, Campbell appears set on making an impact in any way that he can — noting after the Tennessee game that it's correct mindset to possess as a player.

“Every player on the team thinks of themselves as the starter and that means preparing and executing, even if you’re not starting," Campbell said. "That’s a good mindset to have at practice every day.” 

As Lawson heals, and as Marshall continues to play at a respectable level, the Alabama faithful could be seeing a lot more thunder at linebacker with their fearsome trio beginning to click — and at just the right time.

See More: