Kirk Ferentz opened his weekly media session by turning the focus to Jack Campbell, and he didn’t waste time getting to the point. After Campbell was injured Sunday while assisting on a tackle against Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson, the Iowa coach made clear where his thoughts were.
“All of you know just how impactful Jack was in our program. What a tremendous person he is. What a tremendous player he has been for us, and now he's moved on and done the same exact thing in Detroit, not only playing well, but also being a tremendous leader.
"We're all keeping him in our thoughts, certainly, and hope every Hawkeye fan does the same,” Ferentz said.
Campbell was taken off the field on a stretcher after the injury, with the medical team responding quickly. The Detroit Lions have since been providing updates, saying Campbell is resting and recovering in a hospital, with early indications that things are positive.
For Iowa, the news landed hard. Campbell’s career with the Hawkeyes left a mark that still resonates, and his place in program history is secure.
The concern also reaches inside the Iowa locker room because Campbell’s younger brother, Drew Campbell, is currently on the Hawkeyes roster. The third-year defensive end from Cedar Falls, Iowa, has had veteran teammate Kenneth Merrieweather helping him through an emotional stretch.
“It’s making sure that he’s comfortable. That situation is very hard on some people especially when it’s their sibling.
Being able to lift up his spirits and give him some courage and just being there for him. Letting him know that if he needs anything-- don’t hesitate to reach out.
"It takes a lot of weight off some guys' shoulders when they got their older brothers with him every single day- to be able to pick him up when things are going bad. Being able to be there for him, lift up his spirits, and continue to play the game that he loves,” Kenneth Merrieweather said.
Campbell’s Iowa résumé speaks for itself. He was a unanimous All-American, the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and Big Ten Linebacker of the Year in 2022, and a two-time First-Team All-Big Ten selection.
The Detroit Lions made him a first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, and he has already reached First-Team All-Pro status.
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