Tyson Campbell
Tyson Malik Campbell (born March 17, 2000) is an American professional football cornerback for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Georgia. He was drafted by the Jaguars in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft. Early lifeCampbell attended American Heritage School in Plantation, Florida. A five star recruit, he was ranked as the second-best cornerback recruit in the nation behind teammate Patrick Surtain II.[1][2] He played in the 2018 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.[3] Campbell committed to the University of Georgia to play college football.[4][5] College careerAs a true freshman at Georgia in 2018, Campbell started 11 of 14 games, recording 45 tackles and a fumble recovery for a touchdown.[6][7] As a sophomore he started three of nine games, missing five due to injury. He finished the year with 15 tackles, one sack, and a fumble recovery touchdown.[8] Professional careerPre-draftOn January 6, 2021, Campbell announced his decision to forgo his senior year and declared for the 2021 NFL draft. The consensus among NFL draft analysts projected him to be selected in the second or third round. He was ranked as the seventh best cornerback in the draft by a draft analyst from Sports Illustrated and Daniel Jeremiah from NFL.com.[9] Sports Illustrated senior scout Lorenz Leinweber ranked him ninth among all cornerbacks.[10] Dan Brugler from the New York Times ranked Campbell as the eighth cornerback in 2021.[11]
2021The Jacksonville Jaguars selected Campbell in the second round (33rd overall) of the 2021 NFL draft. He was the sixth cornerback drafted in 2021.[14] On July 20, 2021, the Jacksonville Jaguars signed Campbell to a four-year, $9.01 million contract that includes $5.98 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $3.91 million.[15][16] Throughout training camp, Campbell competed against Chris Claybrooks, Tre Herndon, Nevin Lawson, and Sidney Jones to earn the third spot at cornerback on the depth chart and a role as the starting nickelback.[17] Head coach Urban Meyer listed Campbell as the third cornerback on the depth chart behind starting cornerback duo C. J. Henderson and Shaquill Griffin.[18][19] On September 12, 2021, Campbell made his professional regular season debut and recorded two solo tackles in a 21–37 loss at the Houston Texans. On September 19, 2021, Campbell earned his first career start as a slot cornerback and made three combined tackles (two solo) and a pass deflection in 13–23 loss to the Denver Broncos. On September 21, 2021, the Jaguars traded C. J. Henderson to the Carolina Panthers. Defensive coordinator Joe Cullen subsequently elevated Campbell to starting cornerback, alongside Shaquill Griffin.[20] In Week 4, he collected a season–high nine combined tackles (four solo) as the Jaguars lost 21-24 at the Cincinnati Bengals. He was sidelined for two games (Weeks 5–6) due to a toe injury. On November 28, 2021, Campbell made three combined tackles (two solo), a season-high three pass deflections, and had his first career interception off a pass by Matt Ryan intended for tight end Kyle Pitts in the Jaguars' 14-21 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.[21] On December 16, 2021 the Jacksonville Jaguars fired head coach Urban Meyer with offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell named the interim head coach.[22] Campbell completed his rookie season in 2021 with a total of 73 combined tackles (49 solo), ten pass deflections, and two interceptions in 15 games and 14 starts.[23] 2022On February 3, 2022, the Jacksonville Jaguars hired Doug Pederson as their head coach.[24] Defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell chose to have Campbell and Shaquill Griffin remain as the starting cornerbacks along with Darious Williams starting at nickelback.[25] On September 12, 2022, Campbell started in the Jaguars' season-opener and recorded three combined tackles (two solo), deflected a pass, and made his first interception of the season on a pass by Carson Wentz to Jahan Dotson during the fourth quarter of a 20-28 loss at the Washington Commanders.[26] In Week 6, Campbell collected a season-high 7 solo tackles, a season-high three pass deflections, and a forced fumble in a 27-34 loss at the Indianapolis Colts. On January 1, 2023, Campbell had three combined tackles (two solo) and scored the first touchdown of his career when teammate Josh Hines-Allen sacked and forced a fumble by Davis Mills that Campbell subsequently recovered and returned it for a 12-yard touchdown in a 31–3 victory over the Houston Texans.[27] In Week 18, he made five combined tackles (three solo), a pass deflection, and set a career-high of three interceptions in a single season when he intercepted a pass from Joshua Dobbs to Treylon Burks in a 20-16 victory over the Tennessee Titans.[28] In the 2022 season, he started all 17 regular season games and both of the Jaguars' playoff games. He finished with 70 total tackles, three interceptions, 15 passes defensed, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries.[29] Pro Football Focus determined Campbell finished the season with an overall grade of 82.1, which was the fifth highest grade among all cornerbacks in 2022.[30] He also received a defensive grade of 80.8 from PFF, which ranked seventh amongst all cornerbacks.[31] 2023Campbell was expected to takeover as the top cornerback after Shaquill Griffin departed during free agency. Head coach Doug Pederson named Campbell a starting cornerback to kick off the season, alongside Darious Williams and Tre Herndon.[32] In Week 1, Campbell recorded six solo tackles, deflected a pass, and made his first and only interception of the season from a pass thrown by Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson in a 31–21 win at the Indianapolis Colts.[33] He missed two games (Weeks 7–8) due to a hamstring injury. After reaggravating the hamstring injury, he was sidelined for two more games (Weeks 11–12). Campbell sustained a quadriceps injury and was inactive for another two games (Weeks 14–15). On December 31, 2023, Campbell recorded a season-high eight combined tackles (seven solo) and made one pass deflection in a 26–0 win over the Carolina Panthers. He finished the 2023 NFL season with a total of 60 combined tackles (41 solo), five pass deflections, and one interception in 11 games and 11 starts.[34] 2024On January 8, 2024, head coach Doug Pederson fired defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell and the entire coaching staff. On January 22, 2024, the Jacksonville Jaguars hired former Atlanta Falcons' defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen as their new defensive coordinator.[35] On July 23, 2024, the Jaguars signed Campbell to a four-year, $76.50 million contract that includes $53.40 million guaranteed $31.50 million guaranteed upon signing and a signing bonus of $16.00 million.[36] Head coach Doug Pederson named Campbell and Ronald Darby the starting cornerback tandem to begin the regular season.[37] On September 12, 2024, the Jacksonville Jaguars officially placed Campbell on injured reserve after he injured his hamstring in Week 1 against the Miami Dolphins. He would be sidelined for five consecutive games (Weeks 2–6).[38] He was activated on October 19.[39] In Week 9, he collected a season-high nine combined tackles (four solo) and made one pass deflection during a 23–28 loss at the Philadelphia Eagles.[40] References
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