NFL Legend Had This Advice For Patriots Draftee Will Campbell

Will Campbell has a leg up on other draftees.

Campbell, the first-round selection of the New England Patriots, picked the brain of NFL legend Andrew Whitworth for years. It was a “huge honor,” Campbell said on draft night. And now that the LSU product is headed to the NFL, he can reflect back on it.

“Well, I think one of the biggest things for all young athletes is continue to be yourself,” Whitworth told NESN.com when asked about the messages he offered. “What makes you special? Don’t lose sight of that.”

Whitworth learned about Campbell when the latter was attending Neville High School (Monroe, La.), some three miles away from where Whitworth himself grew up. When Campbell started playing left tackle at LSU, Whitworth reached out via text. He played the same position at the same school, after all. They built a connection.

“Even when you get into these things now where — I didn’t get to live in the NIL world so I have no idea what the college football landscape is like now as an athlete,” Whitworth said. “But I do understand expectations. I do understand the stress that it takes to put yourself under, and the work it takes to be successful at the highest levels.

“So what are some of those little nuggets and things that I can give you? Just say, ‘Hey, man, listen, when you get to this agent process, when you get to the process of everyone’s telling you you need to do this, you need to do that.’ Like, ‘Man, you don’t have to do anything. You feel good about it, you make sure you choose to add people to your team that represent you and reflect you.’ And it sure seems like he’s continuing to make great decisions.”

Whitworth credited Campbell for working with the right people, specifically Duke Manyweather. Manyweather helps some of the top offensive linemen in the NFL and was lauded by Whitworth for his teachings.

Building those relationships, and his work ethic, are a few reasons why Whitworth believes Campbell will excel in Foxboro. Whitworth also believes Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel is the perfect coach for Campbell, and New England provides an environment where the northern Louisiana native will thrive.

“I’ve told him, ‘Man, I can’t wait to watch him do what he does and build this team with an identity that I know he’ll have,'” Whitworth said. “He gets to carry on the 318 legacy now. He talks about being a fan of mine, but now I get to just be a fan of his.”