When an Unstoppable Force Meets a Rising Wall: Myles Garrett's Rare Praise for LSU's Will Campbell

It's not every day, in truth, that you hear one of the NFL’s most dominant defensive ends, a true force of nature like Myles Garrett, offer such candid and heartfelt praise for an opponent, especially a collegiate one. But then again, Will Campbell, the young left tackle from LSU, isn't just any opponent, is he? The two titans, one a seasoned pro, the other a rising star, recently locked horns during a joint practice, and what followed was a testament to both fierce competition and, perhaps more surprisingly, mutual respect.

Picture this: a steamy practice field, the air thick with anticipation and the scent of hard work. Garrett, a blur of power and precision, squaring off against Campbell, a cornerstone of LSU’s offensive line. These weren't just drills; these were mano-a-mano battles, a brutal dance of leverage, strength, and lightning-fast technique. And honestly, it sounds like Campbell held his own, prompting Garrett to speak up, a gesture that, you could say, carries significant weight coming from someone who usually lets his sack numbers do the talking.

Garrett didn't mince words, which is quite refreshing, isn't it? He highlighted Campbell’s brute strength, his undeniable athleticism, and, crucially, his surprisingly mature technique. “He’s pretty good,” Garrett noted, a seemingly simple phrase that, when uttered by such a competitor, speaks volumes. He elaborated, describing Campbell as a “physical guy” who’s “going to bring it” and whose hand placement is “pretty good for a young guy.” These aren’t just compliments; they’re observations from an elite craftsman recognizing similar artistry, or at least the burgeoning signs of it, in another.

What makes this even more compelling, though, is how infrequently Garrett bestows such high honors. He's known for his intensity, for his relentless pursuit of excellence, and for rarely, if ever, giving an inch, even verbally. So, for Campbell to elicit this kind of respect from Garrett, it’s not merely a pat on the back; it's a stark indicator of the LSU tackle’s immense potential. It suggests, rather strongly, that Campbell is on a trajectory to be something truly special, a future Sunday starter who can anchor an offensive line against the very best.

And yet, beyond the individual accolades, these high-stakes practice duels serve a much larger purpose. Garrett himself acknowledged how these one-on-one skirmishes — the very crucible of competition — elevate everyone’s game. When you’re facing a potential first-round pick from the college ranks who can truly challenge you, or when you’re a college kid trying to block an All-Pro, the intensity ratchets up, the focus sharpens, and ultimately, the entire team benefits. It's how iron sharpens iron, a timeless truth on the gridiron.

So, while the NFL season still looms, this brief, intense interaction between Myles Garrett and Will Campbell offers a tantalizing glimpse into the future. It paints a picture of a young tackle with an incredibly bright road ahead and, just perhaps, reminds us all that even the fiercest competitors can find common ground in the pursuit of greatness, recognizing it, even celebrating it, in others. Campbell, for one, has certainly earned his stripes in Garrett’s estimation, and that, friends, is saying something.