Jaguars cornerback Tyson Campbell ascending as one of team's top rookies with Trevor Lawrence

Just after Jaguars rookie cornerback Tyson Campbell described how he's feeling more comfortable with the speed of the NFL game, Urban Meyer approached him after practice Friday.

Laughing, Meyer said, ''I want to erase all the nice things I said about him (during Friday's press conference). Can you take it off the record?''

Campbell fired back to Meyer, ''Yes, erase the good things I said about him, too.''

It was a rare moment of laughter during a turbulent week highlighted by last Sunday's benching of running back James Robinson for 20 plays after he fumbled against the Los Angeles Rams in their 37-7 loss at SoFi Stadium.

In a season that's gone astray with the Jaguars taking a 2-10 record into Sunday's game against the Tennessee Titans, Campbell's ascension has been one of the team's few positives with five games remaining.

With Campbell stepping into the starting role, the Jaguars have not looked back after trading 2020 ninth overall pick CJ Henderson to the Carolina Panthers for tight end Dan Arnold and a third-round pick in September before the trade deadline.

While Henderson was mostly voiceless, Campbell is engaging enough that even Meyer feels comfortable joking around with after practice.

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Campbell continues to show improvement

Earlier this season, Campbell had problems locating where the ball was while in coverage. Often Campbell kept his eyes locked squarely on the receiver without turning his head to make a play on the ball.

In Week 8 against Seattle, Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett got separation on Campbell, who never turned his head to look for the ball. The end result was a 27-yard catch by Lockett on a crossing route where he was tackled at the 1. Four plays later, Seahawks scored before they eventually handed the Jaguars an embarrassing 31-7 defeat after coming off their bye week.

''There were plays I didn't make but I always felt like I was capable of making them and I had confidence in myself,'' Campbell said. ''But you know I just trust the process. I'm my own biggest critic. I don't pay attention to the outside noise. I've always had that hunger to get better each week and I kept pushing and working every day.''

Not by any stretch did Campbell wilt under the weight of expectations as the first pick taken in the second round in the 2021 draft out of the University of Georgia. He kept after it, spending extended hours studying film. He put in extra reps after practice.

Veterans have embraced Campbell

Campbell has received unsolicited help from veteran cornerback Shaquill Griffin and safety Rayshawn Griffin. They saw something special in him, his talent, work ethic and desire.

Campbell said they continue to treat him like a little brother, vested to help him handle the grueling grind of an NFL season and not lose focus, especially when there been few victories to show for the work that has been put forth since training camp.

''I said stop trying to impress this team, stop trying to impress the fans, stop trying to impress the coaches and everyone else,'' Griffin said. ''Do something for yourself for once, you at least deserve one time [where] you can dedicate a game to yourself.”

In Weeks 5-6 against Tennessee and Miami, Campbell was held out because of a toe injury. In Week 11 against the San Francisco 49ers he was forced out of the game in the third quarter with a shoulder injury. However, he played through the injury for the next game against Atlanta on Nov. 28.

First career interceptions against Falcons

Campbell got his first career interception against the Falcons. He also became the fourth Jaguars rookie in the last 20 years to record at least three pass breakups and an interception.

Campbell had four tackles last week against the Los Angeles Rams. He left the game briefly in the third quarter with an abdominal strain but returned.

''Everything about him, the way he walks, the way he talks, the way he handles his business in the training room, the way he is fighting through an AC injury that a lot of guys would not be able to play through it,'' Meyer said Friday at his press conference.

''He had a toe injury which he did not play through and just the maturity, growth and work ethic on the practice field. I credit Tyson but I also credit his coach, Tim Walton has done a really good job with him and that is usually how the correlation works.''

Lawrence, Campbell top Jaguars rookies

Campbell has been a bright spot, along with Trevor Lawrence, in a 2021 draft class other than those two, has not been impactful enough.

First-round running back Travis Etienne was lost for the season in the preseason when he suffered a mid-foot sprain. Second-round offensive tackle Walker Little has earned one start but has not played in two of the past three games. Little only saw action on special teams against the Rams last week.

Fourth-round defensive end Jordan Smith has been a healthy scratch in all 12 games this season. And fourth-round defensive tackle Jay Tufele has played two games with one tackle.

Third-round safety Andre Cisco has been on the field for only 67 defensive snaps as a backup behind Andrew Wingard. Fifth-round tight end Luke Farrell has played in 11 games but has four catches for 49 yards.

Campbell, however, has started nine of the 10 games he's played. Campbell is tied with nickel corner Rudy Ford with the sixth-most tackles on the team with 46.

''I feel a lot more comfortable i think it improves each week,'' Campbell said. ''It's like the game has slowed down for me. I'm just happy that I'm able to play in this game. I feel like there's more to come.''

Sunday's game

Jaguars vs. Titans

Time: 1 p.m.

Where: Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tenn.

TV: CBS

Radio: 1010XL,92.5 FM

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars cornerback Tyson Campbell ascending as one of the team's top rookies with Trevor Lawrence