Exclusive: Patriots' Secret Rendezvous with LSU's OL Will Campbell Sparks Trade Rumors!

Here we are, on the cusp of another NFL Draft, and the rumor mill is humming with the potential of Will Campbell, LSU’s stalwart offensive tackle, landing with the New England Patriots. Wouldn’t you know it, this Campbell guy has been a beacon on radar screens not just for his sheer dominance on the field, but for his intriguing backstory as well. The Patriots, ever the shrewd operators, have had their eye on him, let’s just say, longer than your average college coach checks out a hot transfer student.

Throughout this pre-draft season, the buzz around Campbell and New England looked more like the prelude to a blockbuster trade, not a simple draft pick. Yet, the Patriots, with their notorious conservative draft strategy, seem convinced of his potential. Why? There’s a college athlete’s tale of resilience, of overcoming doubts that echo the resolve you find in these pros, which seems to have sparked a connection.

This isn’t just your standard pre-draft flirtation, folks. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Patriots’ brass didn’t just send scouts on a scouting mission; they zoomed down to Louisiana themselves for a meet-and-greet with Campbell in recent days. That’s less of a vetting process, more of a heartfelt endorsement, if you ask me. It’s the kind of move that has insiders buzzing, that Campbell might just be the one to help man the line for Mac Jones or whoever the Pats decide will hold the clipboard next season.

With his accolades—an All-American honor in 2024, All-SEC selections in back-to-back years—his résumé was already impressive enough. However, the measure of a man’s arm length, in this case literally, raised some eyebrows. Campbell’s frame came in at 33 inches, which in the NFL’s never-ending quest for perfection, is seen as an inch shy of the necessary tackle prospect mold. But hey, in a sport where the heart’s size can’t be measured by a tape, Campbell’s not letting that define him. Nor, it appears, are the Patriots.

There’s an old saying in football, isn’t it, that size matters less than heart. Here’s hoping that Campbell’s heart, filled with determination, proves the naysayers wrong come Thursday night at the NFL Draft. If New England’s love affair with him is anything to go by, they’re ready to roll the dice on his potential just as they’ve done with countless late bloomers before him.

Stick with us for all the draft day thrills. Will Campbell become the Patriots’ next gridiron protector? We’ll know soon.LEARN MORE.

Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports that members of the Patriots organization traveled to Louisiana to meet with Campbell in recent days. Campbell also met with the team at their headquarters earlier this year. Campbell pushed back at the notion that his arm length will keep him from succeeding in the pros. There’s been plenty of signs that the Patriots agree with him and we’ll see if they confirm that on Thursday night. Campbell was an All-American in 2024 and he was All-SEC the last two years, but some doubt about his pro potential was raised by the length of his arms. Campbell’s arms measured 33 inches, which is an inch short of what’s generally seen as the minimum for what teams look for in tackle prospects. The Patriots have been linked to former LSU tackle Will Campbell throughout the pre-draft process and a report on Thursday afternoon provides more reason to think he’s a good bet to be the fourth overall pick.