After being ranked as the No. 1 interior offensive lineman in the class of 2022, DJ Campbell committed to the University of Texas. The 5-star prospect out of Bowie High School in Arlington, Texas, appeared in 7 games as a true freshman, filling in where needed. In his sophomore year, he solidified his spot at right guard, where he started every game for the remaining three seasons of his time at Texas. During those three seasons, Campbell offered reliability. In 2024, he was a part of the Texas offensive line that was named a Joe Moore Award finalist. In his senior year, 2025, Campbell earned Third-Team All-SEC honors and was invited to participate in the East-West Shrine Bowl. Entering college as a blue-chip recruit, Campbell has seen significant year-to-year improvement during his time at Texas. Regarding athletic ability, Campbell is solid. Standing at 6 ‘3’’, 313 pounds, he is slightly undersized for an NFL guard, but makes up for it with his play strength. Despite running an impressive 5.01 40-yard time, he lacks play speed and doesn’t show much acceleration or burst in the open field. He has very good mental ability. Campbell communicates with his fellow linemen extremely well, identifying and picking up blitzes and stunts with ease. He understands and executes his job every play well, though he occasionally seems lost in the open field during screens and doesn’t display as much competitive toughness as one would hope.
The biggest hole in DJ Campbell’s game is his inadequate use of hands. When approaching defenders, Campbell brings his hands up late and wide. Not only does this leave him susceptible to penalties–committing 10 alone in 2025–but also his inability to get his hands inside hurts his grip strength and ability to latch onto defenders, leading to struggles in sustaining blocks. His wide-hand approach also leads to a lack of control and little consistency in his lockout. Thanks to his strength, he has a very good steer and can create run lanes. Despite his poor hand approach, he is still able to counter defenders decently, indicating that some work on his technique could yield great results. Campbell is solid at gap blocking, though he lacks drive due to his lack of aggression. He was often used as a puller in Texas’ offense, where he played well and stopped defenders in their tracks. When catching defenders, he tends to put his head down and rely solely on his strength, which causes him to struggle. While in gap schemes, he does stop defenders, but he lacks much push at the point of attack and, more so, holds the line where contact is first made. Campbell utilizes doubles very well and has the ability to hand off and take on defenders with his fellow linemen. He is also solid in zone and space blocking. Campbell is able to get to and execute at the second level well. Furthermore, he takes good angles on reach blocks and gets to defenders effectively, though his reliance on strength over technique leaves him vulnerable to defenders’ evasions.
Campbell is a solid pass protector. He has decent depth in his pass set and takes a more patient protection approach, allowing defenders to make the first move. This passive technique results in defenders making first contact and his punch timing being slightly late. He maintains good spacing with his fellow linemen and usually has a good pad level, in part due to his height disadvantage, which allows him to get under defenders’ pads and maintain pass blocks. Additionally, quicker defenders can expose his limited lateral agility and his struggles with redirection. Campbell has a solid anchor and recognizes bull rushers quickly. Due to his lack of a huge frame and his lack of assertiveness in pass protection, he is not immovable and does get pushed back when facing big defenders, but despite this, he still holds his own and doesn’t allow the pocket to collapse. His improvement in pass protection year to year is evident in his sacks allowed, which decreased from 6 in his sophomore season to 3 in his junior season and to just 1 in his final season. Campbell’s footwork is solid. He keeps his feet active constantly chopping and moving them until the whistle, but he tends to play over his toes, resulting in a lack of balance and control of his body weight. This, combined with his tendency to charge headfirst, allows him to be easily avoided by defenders through the use of a swim move or similar pass-rushing techniques. While he lacks positional versatility, built as a true guard and having no experience at center or tackle, he is the definition of an iron man. Playing every game for Texas the last 3 seasons, including a deep playoff run, demonstrates the reliability and consistency he brings to the guard position.
Scheme and Team Fit
Campbell offers scheme versatility and is able to play in both gap and zone offenses. Preferably, a gap scheme, due to his athletic ability, allowing him to operate as an effective puller, as well as his strength to steer and handle defenders. Regarding team fit, an obvious fit would be the Detroit Lions. Not only do they use heavy gap schemes and are known for having strong offensive lines in recent years, but their current roster construction also gives him time to develop. Currently, the Lions’ starting guards, Christian Mahogany and Tate Ratledge, both mid-round picks, are set to be due for new contracts in two and three years, respectively. Because it’s highly unlikely the Lions will pay two guards in that short span of time, it opens the door for Campbell to start after several years of needed development and growth. Their homegrown, developed approach to interior lineman fits the timeline Campbell is projected to be on. A similar situation is the Indianapolis Colts, who are well known for developing their offensive lines internally, and with Matt Goncalves and Quentin Nelson set to be free agents in two and one year, respectively, Campbell can learn and grow, and then play once ready.
NFL Player Comp: Ed Ingram
Campbell’s player comp is Texans’ guard Ed Ingram. Ingram stands at 6’3’’, 307 lbs, similar to Campbell’s 6’3’’, 313 lbs. Both are efficient pullers and can maintain a low pad level. Furthermore, both are patient pass blockers and can pass off and pick up stunts and twists. Also, when entering the league, like Campbell, Ingram struggled to redirect laterally.
Projection: League Average Starter
Given enough time and the correct development and growth, DJ Campbell projects as a league-average starter. His steady improvement throughout college, paired with his durability, is a good indicator that, given the right support, he can be a reliable starter in the league after a few seasons spent learning on the bench.
Grade and Draft Projection: 4.13, Early-Mid Day 3 Pick
His final grade is 4.13 and will most likely be taken as an early-mid Day 3 pick due to his enticing potential and impressive 40-time.
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