AUBURN, Ala. – After providing pregame and halftime coverage for seven seasons, Jason Campbell joins Andy Burcham for a new assignment Saturday in the Jordan-Hare Stadium press box, only the third radio analyst in the past 44 seasons of Auburn football.
“I’m excited about the opportunity,” said Campbell, who appreciates the endorsements of his predecessor, Stan White, and Burcham, the voice of the Auburn Tigers. “That meant a lot. I’m looking forward to finding that chemistry with Andy as we go game to game.”
The SEC Offensive Player of the Year in 2004 when he led the undefeated Tigers to an SEC championship and Sugar Bowl victory, Campbell played 10 seasons in the NFL before joining the Auburn Sports Network in 2016.
“It’s the closest I’m going to get to playing the game again,” Campbell said. “That’s the exciting part about it. Being able to be involved in every game, play by play, where you react and get to share your knowledge of the game with the fans.”
Campbell continues a tradition of former Tiger quarterbacks to serve in this role, following White, Auburn’s analyst from 2001-22, Charlie Trotman (1980-2000) and 1971 Heisman Trophy winner Pat Sullivan.
“When you’re a quarterback, you’re almost like a coach on the team,” Campbell said. “There’s so much information to dissect, you have to know a lot of other positions besides your own. When it comes to talking about the game, you’re able to relate because you have to study a lot more than just your position.”
Campbell brings additional broadcasting experience to the analyst role, having worked games for CBS in New York and NBC in Washington D.C. after his playing career.
“I’ve had some good experience, but to do it for Auburn is more special because this is like our second home,” he said.
Campbell also serves as general manager of On To Victory, a collective that helps Auburn student-athletes benefit from their name, image and likeness.
“Without a strong collective, you won’t be able to compete in the SEC,” Campbell said. “Being a former player, I don’t take the position lightly. It puts me in a position to be a mentor to help some of these guys when so much is being thrown at them off the field.
“Teaching them to learn how to say no sometimes and protect yourself a little bit more, but also learn how to be open and willing to give, to know the parameters around it and not get drowned in it, because it can become overwhelming.”
Campbell’s conversion to his new role coincides with the launch of the Hugh Freeze Era of Auburn football.
“It’s been night and day,” Campbell said, noting Auburn’s dramatic, immediate ascent in recruiting rankings soon after Freeze’s arrival. “You can tell he’s been a coach in the SEC before. He understands we have to have players to win in this division. He understands you can have great coaches but you have to have great players to win at this level.
“He understands a team is built from the inside out. He revamped the whole offensive line. He brought in some experienced players on the defensive line along with some high school guys to replace the D-linemen we lost from last year.
“He understands you have to have experience asap until your young guns can grow a little bit. He understands that the trenches are where you win. He’s also brought in some big receivers. Any quarterback would love to look up and see these guys.
“If you’re a quarterback right now, you’ve got to love to be here at this time in this system. You’ve also got a big offensive line and a great run game.”
While Trotman and White eventually passed along the Auburn Sports Network microphone in part to avoid missing their children’s weekend activities, that season of life is still down the ride a ways for Jason and his wife, Shayla, who are expecting their first child.
“To be in this role is something I look forward to for many years,” Campbell aid. “I’m just now getting my family started so I’ve got a little time to go before that takes up my Saturdays.”
Jason Campbell debuts as Auburn Sports Network football analyst Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT when the Tigers host Massachusetts in Kickoff on The Plains.
