Amare Campbell
Amare Campbell  LB  Penn State | NFL Draft 2026 Souting Report - Portrait Image
Amare Campbell
Height
6-0
Weight
230
College
Penn State
Position
LB
Class
Sophomore
Home town
Manassas, VA
84.3/100
Player Rating
12
PositionRank (LB)
4.7
FortyYD Time
Sacks
6.5
Fumbles Forced
1
Tackles
76
Sol tackles
45

Amare Campbell LB Penn State | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Amare Campbell LB Penn State
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

PLAY STYLE: MULI-ROLE LB
Last Updated: 05/28/2025
Draft Year: 2026
40 time: 4.70 seconds (53%*)
Measurables:
Height: 6-0 (18%*) Weight: 230 (15%*)
Forty: 4.70 (O) (53%*)
0% 100%
(C) - NFL Combine (P) - Pro Day (O) - Other (HS) -Estimated from High School Combine
For an explanation of how the (HS) data is calculated see this article
SHARE THIS PROFILE:
PLAY STYLE: MULI-ROLE LB
Last Updated: 05/28/2025
Draft Year: 2026
40 time: 4.70 seconds (53%*)
Measurables:
0% 100%
Height: 6-0 (18%*) Weight: 230 (15%*)
Forty: 4.70 (O) (53%*)
(C) - NFL Combine (P) - Pro Day (O) - Other
(HS) -Estimated from High School Combine
For an explanation of how the (HS) data is calculated see this article
SHARE THIS PROFILE:
Overall Rating: 84.3 / 100
Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced
Offense Rating:
79%
Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects.
Tackling:
90%
Pass Rush:
94%
Run Defense:
82%
Coverage:
73%
DRAFT PROJECTION: 3rd
Overall Rank: #94 Position rank: #12
College Games: 21 College Snaps: 886
Grade: 3 ESPN  Stars 3 ESPN  Stars ESPN RATING: 76/100
Grade: 247 Sports 3  Stars 247 Sports 85 Stars 247 RATING: 85/100
Grade: 3 Stars 3 Stars RIVALS RATING: 5.5 (90%)
Player Comparison* (Similarity level)
Carson Schwesinger - UCLA
84%
Chris Paul Jr. - Ole Miss
83%
Brian Asamoah - Oklahoma
73%
Draft Profile: Bio
Amare Campbell after making his mark as a three-star recruit from Unity Reed High School in Virginia, where he dominated as a senior with 130 tackles, 12.5 sacks, and 30 tackles for loss while earning district defensive player of the year honors, Campbell found his way to Chapel Hill as part of North Carolina's 2023 recruiting class. His high school production spoke volumes about his instincts and motor, posting back-to-back seasons with triple-digit tackles and consistent disruptive plays behind the line of scrimmage.

Campbell's collegiate career began modestly but showed steady progression throughout his time with the Tar Heels. As a true freshman in 2023, he appeared in 11 games with one start, recording 14 tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, and an interception while making his first career start in the Duke's Mayo Bowl against West Virginia. The foundation was clearly there, but it was his sophomore campaign in 2024 that truly announced his arrival as a legitimate linebacker prospect. Campbell exploded onto the scene with 72 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 10.5 tackles for loss, two pass breakups, and a forced fumble while starting all 12 games for North Carolina.

His transfer to Penn State following the coaching upheaval at North Carolina represents a fresh opportunity to showcase his talents in a program known for developing NFL-caliber linebackers. Campbell's decision to follow James Franklin's vision for his development speaks to both his ambition and the recognition from coaching staffs that his best football remains ahead of him. The mentorship he received from former UNC linebacker Cedric Gray, now with the Tennessee Titans, helped shape his leadership qualities and understanding of what it takes to play linebacker at the next level.
Scouting Report: Strengths
  • Instinctive tackler who wraps up ball carriers with proper form and rarely allows runners to escape his grasp in the open field.
  • Vocal leader who commands respect from teammates and effectively communicates defensive adjustments with the green dot responsibility he earned at UNC.
  • Exceptional motor that drives him to chase plays across the field and maintain effort levels throughout four quarters of action.
  • Demonstrates impressive flexibility in coverage, showing the ability to drop into zones and match routes with adequate hip fluidity for his size.
  • Explosive pass rusher who consistently beats blockers with a combination of speed, hand technique, and relentless pursuit to the quarterback.
  • Processes information quickly and diagnoses plays early, allowing him to trigger downhill and disrupt offensive timing before plays fully develop.
  • Physical run defender who attacks gaps with violence and consistently sheds blocks to make tackles near the line of scrimmage.
  • Proven production translator who elevated his statistical output significantly from freshman to sophomore year, showing natural development and adaptation.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
  • Lacks elite straight-line speed as evidenced by his 4.70 forty-yard dash, which could create challenges covering athletic tight ends and running backs.
  • Coverage skills remain a work in progress, particularly when asked to match quicker receivers in man-to-man situations down the field.
  • Undersized frame at 230 pounds may limit his effectiveness against power running schemes and larger offensive linemen in pass protection.
  • Can be overly aggressive at times, leading to missed tackles when he attempts to deliver big hits rather than securing fundamentally sound tackles.
  • Limited sample size at the highest level of competition raises questions about consistency against premier offensive talent he'll face regularly in the NFL.
Scouting Report: Summary
Campbell's path to the next level hinges on whether NFL coaching staffs can maximize his elite pass rushing instincts while addressing the coverage deficiencies that limit his three-down potential. His ability to generate pressure from the linebacker position creates immediate value in sub-packages, but his struggles in man coverage and modest athletic testing suggest he'll need creative deployment to succeed consistently. The leadership qualities he displayed at North Carolina demonstrate the football I.Q. that often translates well to the NFL's complex defensive schemes, yet his undersized frame raises legitimate questions about durability against the physical demands of pro football.

The dichotomy in Campbell's skill set creates both opportunity and risk for evaluators. While his exceptional pass rush production and tackling reliability suggest he can contribute immediately in specific roles, his coverage limitations and size concerns indicate he may struggle to earn three-down snaps early in his career. Defensive coordinators will likely view him as a situational weapon whose value depends heavily on scheme fit and usage patterns. His motor and work ethic provide optimism that he can develop the missing pieces of his game, but the gap between his pass rushing excellence and coverage struggles creates uncertainty about his ultimate ceiling.

The transition to Penn State represents both a fresh start and a crucial test for Campbell's development trajectory. His proven ability to elevate his production from freshman to sophomore year suggests he possesses the adaptability needed for continued growth, but the jump to NFL competition will test whether his instincts can overcome his physical limitations. Teams investing in Campbell are betting on his football character and pass rush upside while accepting the risk that his coverage deficiencies may limit his role. The smart money says he'll carve out a meaningful career as a specialized pass rusher, though his path to becoming a complete linebacker remains uncertain.

How other scouting services rate Amare Campbell (Overall Rank)

All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
99.3
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
14.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance. For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.

*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.