Iowa Football Recruiting: Hawkeyes Land Commitment From In-State 2019 Linebacker Jack Campbell

As we exit the month of March and enter April, things are set to really begin heating up in the world of college football recruiting. We’re now at the point in the recruiting cycle for the class of 2019 where official visits can begin. The Hawkeyes have already hosted a couple of junior days looking to get some of their top targets in the class on campus for unofficial visits. All this in an effort to convince players to commit.

Today, we saw what may be the first of many dominoes to fall to that end. Cedar Falls linebacker Jack Campbell, who had been on campus in Iowa City more than a handful of times, announced his commitment to the Hawkeyes via Twitter.

Campbell is a big linebacker, measuring in at 6’4” and 210 pounds. That’s great size for the position (former Hawkeye Ben Niemann was 6’3” and 235 pounds as a senior, for example), but there have already been rumblings he may project to the defensive line.

It’s not a totally unheard of move. Campbell comes in already bigger than current Iowa DE Parker Hesse was when he was a 6’3” 205 pound high school QB. And if anyone can develop a young man by packing on good weight, it’s the Hawkeyes. As Campbell told the Des Moines Register earlier in the week, that’s part of why he chose Iowa:

“Who’s going to put the weight on me? Who’s going to develop me?” Because, obviously, right now I have a pretty big frame, but I just need that extra help to get the weight on me. Obviously, (strength coach Chris) Doyle is at Iowa — he’s one of the best in the nation.”

As it stands, Campbell is very talented as a linebacker. His pass coverage skills are adequate for the position, but he’s especially good in run support, where he shows great instincts in filling holes, sniffing out plays and making solid tackles.

Both Rivals and 247 Sports rate Campbell as a 3-star prospect. He chose the Hawkeyes over offers from Iowa State, Minnesota and UNI. While he had growing interest from others as well, Iowa and Iowa State were thought to be the favorites for some time, despite his father having played for UNI. In the end, the Hawkeyes landed the first linebacker and the fifth commitment overall in the class of 2019. Campbell joins fellow Iowans Noah Fenske, Tyler Endres and Ezra Miller, all of whom project as offensive linemen, and Illinois tight end Logan Lee.

Things will continue heating up in the class of 2019. We’ll keep you updated as things evolve.

Welcome aboard Jack Campbell!

Hometown: Cedar Falls, IA (Cedar Falls)
POS: LB
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 210
Stars: 3 (Rivals); 3 (247 Composite)