Signing with Alabama was a "business decision" for Jihaad Campbell

ORLANDO – The Early Signing Period was a special time for the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Four targets – all of whom are consensus top-100 players – chose Alabama on Wednesday, Dec. 15. Coveted transfer portal target Eli Ricks announced he’ll be heading to Tuscaloosa that day as well, with Louisiana-based athlete Kendrick Law joining the fold two days later.

IMG Academy EDGE Jihaad Campbell was one of the sought-after targets who signed with the Crimson Tide last month. He spoke with On3 during Under Armour All-American week about what led to them coming out on top.

“It was a very great decision,” Campbell said on Saturday. “Business decision. Family decision. I felt as though that was the right place for me to go to maximize my potential. Just, like the principles of life and the way life is structured and how I’m learning things.”

In a candid admittance, Campbell revealed he’d be heading to another program right now had it not been for a major change. Campbell, a former Clemson commit, stated that he’d be signed with the Tigers had it not been for defensive coordinator Brent Venables leaving for Oklahoma.

Campbell explained what went down during the decommitment process.

“Most of it was just talking with my family about the school,” Campbell said. “Obviously, Coach Venables leaving. I wanted to play under his defense, but he had to do what’s best for him and leave. And I had to talk with my family and figure out what’s the best decision for me.”

Campbell on Saban: “He’s a very knowledgable man.”

Campbell opted to de-commit from Clemson on Dec. 9. That weekend, the New Jersey native took visits to both Alabama and Texas A&M ahead of signing day.

From the time spent with the staff to on-campus amenities, Campbell’s last-minute trip to Tuscaloosa sold him on Alabama being his home for the next three-to-five years.

“Having a talk with all the coaches, especially all the defensive coaches, it was very great,” Campbell said. “The intro was very great. I was actually surprised with all the facilities they had. Welcoming me… I really appreciate that. After the visit, I just took it upon myself to talk with my family. I said, ‘This is the best decision for me.'”

The addition of Campbell elevates a Crimson Tide pass rushing group that already features Dallas Turner and Will Anderson. Alabama is also adding five-star edge rusher Jeremiah Alexander to the mix next year.

Along with being excited about joining this talented group, Campbell is looking forward to learning under the tutelage of Nick Saban.

“I’m very excited,” Campbell said. “He’s a very knowledgeable man. He has a lot of great knowledge, especially with the system that he has established. I feel as though I can trust him with my future and my plans moving forward.”

Both Anderson and Turner combined for three sacks in Alabama’s 27-6 win over Cincinnati on Friday. For Campbell, this blowout victory in the College Football Playoff semifinal was business as usual for his future team.

“Bama is going to do what they’ve got to do,” Campbell said. “And that is take the ‘W,’ go back home, get right back in the lab and fix some errors that they had. Other than that, we’re just going to keep moving forward and keep winning games.”

Overall, Alabama’s 2022 class checks in at No. 2 in the On3 Consensus Football Team Recruiting Rankings, only behind Texas A&M. They have three five-stars and 20 four-stars, with an average rating of 93.49.