The Patriots took the LSU offensive tackle fourth overall
FOXBORO, Mass. — Will Campbell had the chance to make one last impression on the New England Patriots when Mike Vrabel and several members of the team’s front office worked him out privately last week in Baton Rouge, La.
Campbell passed his final assessment with flying colors, leaving the Patriots no doubt they would take him once they get on the clock with the No. 4 overall pick.
The Patriots made it official Thursday night, and Vrabel pointed to the workout as what cemented the highly important selection for the franchise.
“When we went down there to work him out, he showed up with one purpose and that was for us to pick him,” Vrabel said. “From the time that we walked in the building to the time that we left and got on the plane, he had one objective and that was to prove to us that he was the right player for us.”
Vrabel was fully involved in the workout, confirming a report by ESPN’s Pete Thamel that the Patriots head coach threw on a blocking pad and went up against the 6-foot-6, 319-pound offensive tackle.
The matchup with Campbell didn’t end well for Vrabel. According to Thamel, Campbell “punched him” in the blocking pad so hard that the three-time Super Bowl champion fell onto his backside.
“They all knocked me around pretty good. I realized I’m close to 50, and if that tape ever gets out, people are going to have some problems. I hope that tape never sees the light of day,” Vrabel said. “I think it was important for me to get out there and feel him, and feel every player that we evaluated at the line of scrimmage.”
Campbell could have shied away from what happened in that workout in an attempt to not embarrass his head coach. But Campbell owned it.
“We had a great workout. Got some good work in. They taught me some new stuff,” Campbell said. “I got him. I’m not going to lie. I got him on the ground.”
Now, Campbell will try to do the same to current NFL players while wearing a Patriots uniform.