NFL Draft star who banked $43 million contract won over new head coach after PUNCHING him during first meeting

WILL Campbell aced his NFL Draft workout in an unconventional way.

The LSU offensive lineman cemented himself as one of the top NFL Draft prospects and secured a massive contract in the process.

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The New England Patriots drafted Campbell with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

As the draft approached, Campbell took a visit to the Patriots where he attempted to prove himself as the right guy for their team.

“When we went down there to work him out, he showed up with one purpose and that was for us to pick him,” Vrabel said.

“From the time that we walked in the building to the time that we left and got on the plane, he had one objective and that was to prove to us that he was the right player for us.”

Vrabel is one of the most involved head coaches in the league, often participating in his players’ drills with them.

He shared that when he worked with Campbell that he put on a blocking pad to do some drills during their workout.

Vrabel says that it’s important for him to feel “every player that we evaluated at the line of scrimmage.”

Campbell made an especially big impact on Vrabel when he punched him in the face during the workout.

The Patriots head coach confirmed that he took a few hits from the prospect.

“They all knocked me around pretty good,” Vrabel said.

“I realized I’m close to 50, and if that tape ever gets out, people are going to have some problems. I hope that tape never sees the light of day.

“I think it was important for me to get out there and feel him, and feel every player that we evaluated at the line of scrimmage.”

Campbell didn’t hold back from gloating about the wins he took in his reps with his new head coach.

“We had a great workout. Got some good work in. They taught me some new stuff,” Campbell said.

“I got him. I’m not going to lie. I got him on the ground.”

Campbell impressing Vrabel so much ended up being a massive payday.

Being drafted at No. 4 got him a fully-guaranteed contract of $43 million over four years, according to Spotrac.

He also got a $28 million signing bonus.