Tyson Campbell drafted by the Jaguars
Georgia defensive back Tyson Campbell (3) during a game against South Carolina at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, SC., on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020. (Photo by Tony Walsh)
Georgia defensive back Tyson Campbell has been selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars as the No. 33 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
In three seasons at UGA, Campbell racked up 89 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, one interception, 11 pass deflections and one forced fumble.
Campbell was one of Georgia’s highest producing defensive backs while he was in Athens.
As a freshman in 2018, he started 11 of 14 games and finished the season with 45 total stops. In the loss to LSU that year, he totaled a team-high 11 tackles in Baton Rouge. Campbell also had a highlight earlier that season against Missouri where he forced, recovered and returned a fumble in the first quarter.
In 2019, Campbell played in nine of 14 games, which he started the first three. He had 15 total stops and four pass breakups. He dealt with an injury for a portion of his sophomore year that left him sidelined for five games. His regular-season sophomore campaign ended on a high note, though. In a blowout win over Georgia Tech, Campbell recovered a fumbled punt in the end zone against the Yellow Jackets.
Campbell started all 10 games at cornerback during an abbreviated 2020 season. He finished with 29 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and tied for a team-high five pass breakups. His first career interception came against South Carolina, as he returned it for 40 yards before being brought down. He was named a team captain for the Auburn and Florida games. Campbell played his last game against Cincinnati on Jan. 1 and recorded three tackles and one pass breakup in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl.
A native of Plantation, Fl., Campbell was a four-star recruit out of American Heritage. Per 247Sports, he ranked as the No. 2 defensive back nationally, No. 11 overall prospect and the No. 4 prospect in Florida. The 6-foot-2, 185-pound cornerback has a chance to make a splash in the NFL with his talent and knowledge of the game. He’s quick, fast and has a big upside because his full potential hasn’t been reached yet.
His speed comes from his success as a dual-sport athlete in high school. Campbell ran track at American Heritage and was very successful. In the 100 meters and 200 meters, he was a 2A state champion, but he also competed in the high jump. His flexibility and raw talent will help him tremendously in the NFL.
Last season, Campbell told reporters that there’s always room to get better, especially on the field and in the film room.
“I’ve matured so much as a player, coming here, being young and not really knowing the defense,” he said, reported by Bulldawg Illustrated. “As the coaches have developed us on defense and my experience in the games, I’ve been able to (improve) mentally, getting my IQ with football better, and also I’ve become stronger, faster — the whole nine yards of being an athlete.”