Booger McFarland On Board With Bucs Drafting Jihaad Campbell
March 31st, 2025
Wanted by ex-Bucs defender.
If Booger McFarland is talking Bucs defense, Joe is listening.
Even though McFarland, who still lives in the Tampa Bay area, now works for Disney/ABC/BSPN, that doesn’t mean he doesn’t keep up and in touch with what is going on at One Buc Palace.
McFarland still very much has Bucs’ red flowing through his veins. And since McFarland is primarily a college football analyst for the four-letter, he pays rapt attention to the SEC since the four-letter owns the conference’s TV rights.
That means McFarland watches a lot of Jihaad Campbell, the stud Alabama linebacker. Well, at least whenever McFarland isn’t watching his beloved LSU.
So on Twitter yesterday, one of McFarland’s colleges, Mina Kimes, posted a video highlight of Campbell. She’s obviously impressed. And so too is McFarland who retweeted Kimes’ video with the comment, “Would so love to see him with Todd Bowles.”
So would Joe.
Funny thing is, Joe is a bit spooked by Campbell’s shoulder injury. How much time is he going to miss with this mysterious surgery? Underwear football and training camp are vital for rookies as they transition from college.
But you know what? Joe has been looking around and guys Joe trusts who study the draft don’t seem one bit spooked by Campbell’s injury and surgery.
If all these guys aren’t scared, maybe Joe shouldn’t be?
Would so love to see him with Todd Bowles https://t.co/fsZUb707cA
— Booger (@ESPNBooger) March 30, 2025
March 31st, 2025 at 10:41 am
Hope we don’t draft for what’s good for Bowles. Only defensive genius who needs pro bowlers at every level of his defense to make it work. Draft offense, and out score every team. League is set up for offense. Draft Matthew Golden fastest receiver in the draft. Best defense is a good offense.
March 31st, 2025 at 10:43 am
Joe – The injury occurred during the play-offs. He participated in the combine. That’s about three months from injury to surgery. Thinking the injury was not a full tear, but more of a minor procedure and he will be set for camps and the beloved pre-season games. He’s still high on the boards, draftwise.
March 31st, 2025 at 10:43 am
Whatever time Campbell misses that is a non productive roster spot. Recurrence of shoulder injuries is high in the NFL. Green or Emmanwori will be available and should be taken, unless Bucs trade back as the 2nd Round is chock full of good corners and LB’s.
March 31st, 2025 at 10:54 am
Thanks. Do know he was injured at the Outback Bowl against Michigan. Alabama called it an “upper body injury.” Wouldn’t give specifics. Because of that, there was speculation he may have injured/reinjured the shoulder at the combine.
Like Mike Florio often says, and he is correct, “Silence invites speculation.”
March 31st, 2025 at 10:56 am
Colleagues. Should be “colleagues”, not colleges. “One of McFarland’s colleagues” not colleges. Pretty sure spellcheck is built in to pretty much everything these days.
And pass on this guy with the repaired labrum surgery. It can become a continual issue, especially for a player constantly using his shoulder to lead with. We need production this year.
March 31st, 2025 at 10:59 am
I would be more ok with Campbell if he was further into his recovery when the draft occurred.
Most people and especially athletes make a significant recovery in about 12 weeks after the surgery.
The concern for the Bucs and any other NFL team is that by the time the draft is happening, there will not be a 12 week assessment of Campbell’s injury.
I doubt that Campbell or his representatives allow any NFL teams look at his medical records a day or two before the draft.
The other concern is that NFL athletes face a greater potential than common folks for re-tearing the labrum because of the extension factor in tackling.
It’s a pass for me. I think that Licht will be a little gun shy as he was the guy that drafted Noah Spence who had all kinds of trouble after his surgery.
And doesn’t he even consider SirVocea Dennis and his shoulder injury (I’m not sure if it was a labrum tear).
March 31st, 2025 at 11:04 am
Two reasons not to draft Campbell. 1 the injury. 2. What is the story behind his first name? Seems everyone thinks it is politically incorrect to ask. I have a hard time believing it has an innocent story behind it. And the subtle spelling difference makes it even more suspect.
March 31st, 2025 at 11:09 am
Would rather not take a guy who may miss training camp at 19. Maybe if we traded down near end of 1st..we don’t necessarily need a do it all ilb. Just need a guy who can cover and tackle. I think I heard there was a bigger safety that might fit in well at ilb..sounds kinda ideal in today’s NFL..
March 31st, 2025 at 11:20 am
Bosch, as long as he declares jihad on the opposing offense, I’m okay with it. Probably nothing to it. I don’t think Abdul Carter is worried about connotations with his name.
March 31st, 2025 at 11:24 am
I like Campbell at 19 despite the injury as he’ll be the LB of the future here.
However, depending on how the board falls to us at 19, if a Day-1 starter is there at CB, DL, Edge or even WR (only Godwin’s clone Egbuka) I would pass on Campbell as we can likely find a coverage LB later in the draft and rely on the current Bucs LB roster to perform in 2025.
March 31st, 2025 at 11:27 am
ALSO — far out thought here — with the Bucs having White on the last year of his rookie deal how come NOBODY is talking about the possibility of bringing back Alstott and Dunn by drafting Skattebo to pair with Bucky?
March 31st, 2025 at 11:31 am
Have a lot of respect for Booger and he wouldn’t do the Bucs wrong.
Unfortunately, still on the fence about drafting him at 19.
March 31st, 2025 at 11:36 am
Hard pass. We need CB help way worse than LB needs.
Barron out of Texas at CB would be my first choice.
I do think LB is a must have in the draft but not with an injured player.
My top three are these:
1. CB
2. LB
3. S
After that grab the best DE or WR you can find. DL could be a late draft aquisition. Bowles will need all the help on defense he can get.
March 31st, 2025 at 11:38 am
Pass. I think this kid is a bust.
March 31st, 2025 at 11:39 am
Bosch.
That was hilarious.
It’s not like Jihad named himself.
His parents named him.
Buccaneers Akbar!
I hope Jihad “blows up” some ball carriers!
I cant wait for Jihad to terrorize the opposing offense!
Jihad is gonna blow up on the next level next season. Inshallah.
Go Bucs!
Jihad rules!
March 31st, 2025 at 11:42 am
Id rather trade a mid to late round pick to acquire a guy like Pratt from cincy than risk a first rounder on this guy. Weak draft for LBs and think this guy is a reach based on supply/ demand. Again, it hurts you when draft based on need and not BPA. The D has a lot of needs, I dont rhink he is BPA compared to DBs, DTs and Edge at 19.
March 31st, 2025 at 11:43 am
Stpetebucsfan, are you on an around the world trip or what? And Hodad, I do like your style. The best defense is often a good offense! But like Spbf always said how are we going to get the ball to all the playmakers we’ve already got?
March 31st, 2025 at 11:47 am
And I may not agree with you often BucDawg but I’m right with you on Barron. He has “it”. We still need interior DL and inside linebackers though.
March 31st, 2025 at 11:52 am
This is the Year of LVD & SVD.
NOBODY WILL BEAT OUT SVD THIS YEAR IF HE IS HEALTHY.
March 31st, 2025 at 11:53 am
He was born a Muslim, unlike Braswell, who converted at the age of 10. Both players however made efforts to convert as many Alabama players as they could during their time together on the team. These factors are important when building team chemistry. Baker publicly announced his Christian faith less than a week ago. Other core players Mike Evans, Lavonte David, Chris Godwin, and Antoine Winfield Jr have all pronounced there faith and how much of a core value it is publicly. Considering these factors, as well as his shoulder injury, he is unlikely to be the pick.
March 31st, 2025 at 12:12 pm
Hey Teach. How do you know his parents gave him that name? People change their their given name all the time. And even if his parents did name him, what does that imply about his upbringing. Sorry, but this just reeks of an extremist lean. But I am glad to see people are willing to talk about it.
March 31st, 2025 at 12:25 pm
When he’s healthy in 2026 this will be a HUGE addition! He can use 2025 to learn Bowles’ incredibly complicated, but ineffective, defensive scheme!
March 31st, 2025 at 12:26 pm
Josh – religion is for Bronze Age peasants. Not for you and me.
March 31st, 2025 at 12:28 pm
Absolutely not at #19
March 31st, 2025 at 12:35 pm
Corner
March 31st, 2025 at 12:41 pm
Didn’t edge rusher Noah Spence have a shoulder injury that ended his career?
March 31st, 2025 at 12:49 pm
Alabama, Drew Brees also had a shoulder injury that prevented the dolphins from signing him. Then the saints signed him. I know different position but not all injuries and outcomes are the same.
March 31st, 2025 at 1:02 pm
Had rotator cuff surgery and four months later with daily rehab I was released from doctor. After six weeks from release almost full strength. I am in my sixty’s and I lift weights six days a week and have recovered well. Injury concerns may not be an issue???
March 31st, 2025 at 1:30 pm
Jihad-To strive and struggle against yourself and society, for good. The lazy media mistakenly define it as ‘holy war’, jihad requires muslims to fight for their rights, but you can’t go killing innocent people, that’s giving in to one’s desires, the opposite of jihad.
March 31st, 2025 at 1:51 pm
Listening to Cowherd, talking about trading a 1st and paying 100 plus million to Dallas for Micah Parsons. Im just being imaginative right now. But ot would be amazing to see Micah Parade in a Bucs uniform and on a Todd Bowles Defense. Bucs get Micah P. We are winning the Super Bowl!!
March 31st, 2025 at 2:05 pm
Devin White 2.0
March 31st, 2025 at 2:06 pm
LVD & SVD I like but keep confusing them with STD in my posts , tankfully I proof read….
March 31st, 2025 at 2:06 pm
Thankfully
March 31st, 2025 at 2:07 pm
Please take a CB in the 1st round, last time we drafted a CB in 1st round was 2016 Vernon Hargreaves with the 11th pick. Jahdae Barron or Shavon Revel Jr would be an excellent addition to our secondary maybe just maybe we can get off the field on 3rd downs this season.Don’t wait til second round we’ll end up with another Dean or Davis .
March 31st, 2025 at 2:21 pm
Licht said in an earlier article here that drafting is, at best, a 50/50 deal and that is of the guy becoming an NFL player. If I knew why some 1st rounders wash and some UDFA’s become stars, I would be a gozillionaire and work at The Palace. Campbells injury is just that, 50/50 depending the severity and how HE heals, everyone is different. There will be a lot of good players at 19, would LOVE to know who is high on their list, but they continue liars poker even after the draft, ” yeah he was the guy we wanted all along”, even though we traded back and then drafted him. And any team that is considering drafting him will ABSOLUTLY want to know everything about the injury before committing, as they should.
March 31st, 2025 at 2:27 pm
Not a bad pick but MLB are available in later rounds. Better players will be available.
March 31st, 2025 at 3:05 pm
He looks like a slightly slower Devin White in that clip – not trolling, he really does.
Anywho, no issues with this being the pick, seems to make total sense. Will be interesting however to see if he’s still on the board or not – in a lot of mock drafts he seems to be rising up the board. And yes, I know, blah blah blah you hate mock drafts, I get it, but there’s nothing else to go on, and they can sometimes tell you if a prospect is rising or falling, and Campbell seems to be on the rise lately.
March 31st, 2025 at 5:02 pm
A completely devalued position that can solidified in any round, even UDFA. He’s injured on top of it. No thanks.
March 31st, 2025 at 5:03 pm
Stanglassman – your definition of jihad is accurate. But in the eyes of islamic extremists who are willing to resort to acts of terrorism, it is NOT the opposite of jihad. They are acting upon the perceived will of their god to kill infidels. They view their acts of terrorism as acts of Jihad, doing it for the greater good. In fact, martyring oneself (think 9/11 or a suicide bombing) is considered the ultimate expression of jihad. The negative connotations we (those of us that worship a loving God) attach to jihad are more than justified.
March 31st, 2025 at 5:26 pm
Bosch…
We really judging football players on their names instead of their talents!?! I assume you’re very happy now because i’m like 99.999% sure i can guess whom you voted for… Smdh! Even though you’ll soon find out if you haven’t already, he cares about as much about you as he does for me…
March 31st, 2025 at 6:09 pm
Anon Says:
March 31st, 2025 at 5:02 pm
A completely devalued position that can solidified in any round, even UDFA. He’s injured on top of it. No thanks.
———–
Let me guess, you also thought KJ Britt was going to be a quality starter.
Moron.
March 31st, 2025 at 6:14 pm
👆👆👆👆👆👆👆👆👆👆👆👆
And running backs are dinosaurs.
March 31st, 2025 at 7:32 pm
Lou, it’s what his name MAY say about him. We don’t know, but if the Bucs are serious about drafting him it would be wise to find out.
March 31st, 2025 at 8:57 pm
Rod Munch Says:
March 31st, 2025 at 6:09 pm
Let me guess, you also thought KJ Britt was going to be a quality starter.
Moron.
———
Nope. KJ Britt was part of the “special teams draft” he was never supposed to be a starting LB with his lack of athleticism. Awful draft in every way.
How many impact 1st round ILBs are there in the league? None. It’s hard to find ones that even get re-signed after their rookie deal in the last decade.
And you’re going to be paying 1st round resources to an unproven guy who’s injured. You could just use those resources to trade for the best ILBs if you’re that desperate for one.
April 1st, 2025 at 5:40 am
If we draft Campbell I sure hope Booger is right for a change. He was a much better D Tackle than he is a talking head. I am in agreement with the Campbell pick even though he is injured ATM. I am sure Jason will be doing his due diligence about the injury and knows alot more than us. That leads me to wondering what our pal Baldinger thinks.
Go Bucs!
April 1st, 2025 at 12:39 pm
@ Bosch:
Now that’s just unfair man, like really… You can put “MAY” in front of ANYTHING and it changes the whole dynamic… He ‘MAY’ be a bust, he “MAY” be a future hall of famer, he “MAY” be the best linebacker to ever put on a BUCS jersey(extremely hard but not impossible)… He “MAY” do a lot of things or he “MAY” accomplish absolutely nothing, but you would never know one way or the other because you won’t even give the young man a chance to show you what he’s about simply based off his name… Smdh! What ever happened to giving