Iowa’s Jack Campbell taken by Detroit Lions with 18th overall pick in 2023 NFL Draft

IOWA CITY — Jack Campbell can add “first-round pick” to his impressive list of accolades.

The Detroit Lions selected the former Iowa linebacker with the 18th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday.

The Cedar Falls native will head to the Motor City after being a unanimous consensus All-American last year. He had 143 tackles in 2021 and 128 tackles in 2023.

Campbell was the Hawkeyes’ first-ever recipient of the Butkus Award, which goes to the top linebacker in college football, and the Campbell Trophy.

He undoubtedly helped his draft stock at the NFL Combine, putting up some of the best numbers among linebackers in most drills. He had a formal interview with the Lions there that Campbell said went “very well.”

“Great human beings and great leaders,” Campbell said of the Lions’ staff. “I’m excited to play for guys like that, especially Coach (Dan) Campbell.”

The Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year is the second Iowa player to hear his name at the 2023 NFL Draft. Defensive end Lukas Van Ness was the 13th pick.

The only other schools to have at least two of the top 20 picks were Alabama, Georgia and Ohio State.

The newest Lion is the second Iowa linebacker to be drafted in the last three years after Nick Niemann was a sixth-round pick in 2021.

Campbell will be a part of a defense looking to improve after allowing an NFL-worst 392 yards per game last season.

“I’m just excited to step foot in there and be the best version of Jack Campbell that I can be every single day,” Campbell said.

Comments: john.steppe@thegazette.com