Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Will Anderson Jr. is expected to soon declare for the 2023 NFL Draft. From there, Alabama will then be on the lookout to find Anderson's replacement.

Among the players who Alabama defensive coordinator Pete Golding will provide an opportunity to replace Anderson is Jihaad Campbell. The former five-star recruit out of IMG Academy has played in eight games in his ongoing freshman campaign, and he has so far recorded a mere one tackle. The versatile linebacker has also featured on special teams for the SEC powerhouse.

For Anderson, he sees plenty of potential in Campbell and also freshman linebacker Shawn Murphy.

“I'll start with Jihaad,” Anderson said during a press conference on Thursday. “They're both like my little brothers but me and Jihaad a little bit closer. Jihaad, I always told him, ‘You're a freak athlete. You get some weight on you and learn to play, you're going to be absolutely unstoppable.'

“Shawn Murphy, really high IQ for the game. He's been doing a really good job of stepping in when guys go out. He's learning the defense. He has got some reps. … But Jihaad, he's going to be really, really good. I'm very excited to see him. He's one of those guys that he can do a little bit of everything. They've got him bouncing around everywhere on the edge. Backers and all that stuff. But both of those guys have been doing a really good job for us. … They've really made a lot of progress. I'm super excited to see both of those guys flourish.”

Overall, Anderson believes Campbell can go on to enjoy grand success as an inside linebacker.

“He's been doing a really good job,” Anderson said. “Like I said, he's been progressing really well. And I'm super excited to see him flourish.”

Over the regular season, Campbell had a front-row seat to not only watch the likes of Anderson and Henry To'oTo'o on the field, but he sure also learned much from them as well.

For now, Alabama has its sights set on the 2022 Sugar Bowl against Kansas State, where Anderson will look to do what he can to help the Crimson Tide clinch an 11-win campaign.