The Lions have signed linebacker Jack Campbell to his four-year rookie deal that includes a fifth-year option, the team announced.
The Lions used the 18th overall pick on the Iowa star, the second of their first-round picks. They made Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs the 12th overall selection.
Campbell won the Butkus Award as the best linebacker in college football last season. He also took home the William V. Campbell (Academic Heisman) award and was named the Big 10’s defensive player of the year.
Campbell earned unanimous All-America honors in 2022 and was named first-team All-Big Ten for a second consecutive year.
The Lions are counting on Campbell to help improve their defense this season.
“All I can do is prepare to the best of my ability and let my talents and everything else take me to where I need to go,” Campbell said, via Nolan Bianchi of the Detroit News. “I’m going to do everything that I can to put this team in the best position to win games.
“Right now, a lot of people have high expectations on me and that’s all good. I’m just going to stick to what I know, who I am, and come out here every single day and give them my all.”