by LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN
@LonnPhillips
Welcome to our 4th ever season-ending top 10 performers list, with links right here to our past 2019, 2020, and 2021 top 10's (links in purple), we now hit our 2022 final season ending calibrations.
With a new Head Coach in Brian Kelly and his entirely revamped staff, wildly different approach or philosophy compared to prior head man Ed Orgeron, while nearly 25% of their teammates and 2021 coaches exited amid Kelly's transition, it's a major sense of pride to see so many Tigers excel in 2022....in fact, we were forced to leave off 3 Tigers who could've easily fit on this list.
We will list those three when the top 10 countdown concludes....but for now, get into this, get yourself relaxed, drink something warm, eat something good, jive on our vibe and dive into the ultimate 2022 breakdown:
6. WILL CAMPBELL
The pride of Monroe, Louisiana, true freshman stunner Will Campbell featured in a remarkable 824 snaps (3rd most) at one of the game's toughest positions, gaining a wealth of experience and wisdom from his first season on Jayden Daniels' blindside....but he also accomplished plenty along the way:
In what will go down as the greatest season-long freshman offensive line debut in Tigers history, Campbell was stout in all 13 games, rebounding after his few errors, winning the vast majority of his one on one matchups, and setting a fiery, crusading precedent for all freshmen offensive linemen to follow.
Posting an overall 72.9 offensive grade, 65.8 run blocking rating (2nd among OL who played over 55 snaps) and an elite 77.6 pass blocking mark (second only to Garrett Dellinger's stellar 82.2), Campbell wasn't just a standout freshman...he became a proven SEC offensive lineman in just his first season.
Over the entire campaign, Will only surrendered 2 sacks, 3 QB hits and 9 hurries, all from over 800 snaps within an offensive line that utilized a new starting lineup in each of his first five games.
We weren't the only ones touting his outstanding performances, either:
Not only taking home SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week honors after his brick wall efforts on the road at Florida, a mere 13 days after suffering a severe medical emergency, "Big Willy Style" was named to the All-SEC Freshman squad as well as the All-SEC squad itself, transcending his age and shattering all expectations over what is truly possible as a freshman.
Never making the same mistake twice, Campbell began to dominate or wear down more experienced opponents throughout his debut campaign, baiting them into traps with one wrong shuffle of the feet. Regularly bamboozling and burying edge rushers, Will stood out as a tough, cerebral player across his first 13 games as a Tiger.
Campbell is a student of the game, a magnetic force who will only get better with each season, specifically under the eye of OL Coach Brad Davis, a man Campbell told LSUOdyssey was "the best OL Coach in America".
Expect Campbell to wreak havoc in year 2, playing with more confidence & control as he continues to evolve....aiming to become the best offensive lineman in America....and who would bet against him?
OUR BEST WILL CONTENT:
By LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN
@LonnPhillips
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