LSU football: OT Will Campbell to wear prized No. 7

LSU offensive lineman Will Campbell (66) pushes back on LSU defensive end Sai'vion Jones (35) during the spring game, Saturday, April 22, 2023, at Tiger Stadium on the campus of LSU in Baton Rouge, La.

LSU picked who will wear No. 7 this season, and it did not go to a skill position player.

Sophomore left tackle Will Campbell received the prized number Saturday, which he will wear as a patch on his No. 66 jersey to meet NCAA rules.

Campbell started immediately as a true freshman last year and established himself as one of LSU’s best players. He was named a freshman All-American and second-team All-Southeastern Conference while making 13 starts.

Related: Here's who will wear the No. 18 jersey this season

A recent tradition, celebrating the No. 7 began with former cornerback Patrick Peterson. It had gone to a skill position, like a wide receiver or defensive back, ever since.

Over the last decade, the number has been worn by safety Tyrann Mathieu, running back Leonard Fournette, wide receiver DJ Chark, wide receiver Jonathan Giles, safety Grant Delpit, safety JaCoby Stevens, cornerback Derek Stingley and wide receiver Kayshon Boutte.

Wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase had the number before he opted out of the 2020 season.

"We want to build upon that tradition and honor the best player on our team who is from the state of Louisiana," coach Brian Kelly said in a statement. "Will Campbell has made such an impact on our team in such a short period of time and embodies the qualities to join the legacy of the players that have come before him."

Campbell, the first lineman to receive the number, has to wear the patch on his jersey because of NCAA uniform rules for certain positions. LSU did the same thing when former center Lloyd Cushenberry was awarded No. 18 during the 2019 season.

Campbell signed out of Neville High School in Monroe as the No. 36 overall player in the 2022 class, according to the 247Sports composite rankings, drawing comparisons to former LSU offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth.

All Campbell did last season was meet the lofty expectations placed on him. He missed one game because of a medical issue but played 882 offensive snaps as an anchor on the offensive line. Campbell was penalized once and allowed three sacks.

With him and Emery Jones, LSU had two true freshmen starting at offensive tackle for the first time in school history. They helped win 10 games and an SEC West title.

Now 6-foot-6 and 325 pounds with quick feet, Campbell has been tough for anyone to beat during LSU’s preseason practices.

When he gets his hands on a defender, junior defensive end Sai'vion Jones said, “it’s like trying to reach for something, and you know you can’t get it.”

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LSU decided who will wear No. 18 this season.