Javeon Campbell is a Fast Learner and an Abnormal Football Prospect

Eleven years ago I covered my first significant football commitment ceremony when Drew Barker committed to Kentucky at Conner High School. I’ve attended dozens and dozens since and Javeon Campbell‘s announcement was unlike any other I’ve attended, and it’s not just because they brought an ice cream truck to Stockton Mortgage for the occasion.

The central talking point in Campbell’s recruitment, aside from his ranking and the Cats’ competition, was his lack of experience. EKU extended Campbell a scholarship offer a year ago before he had ever played a snap of varsity football. That’s remarkable.

Western Hills head coach Simon Vanderpool successfully convinced the school’s all-time leading scorer on the hardwood to take his talents to the gridiron for Vanderpool’s first season in Frankfort. Campbell was a natural. Vanderpool didn’t need to coach effort. Campbell brought it every single day whenever he stepped onto the field. Success quickly followed, giving Campbell confidence and some reassurance that he made a wise choice.

“It was probably when I got my first sack. I think it was the second play of our first game. I sacked the quarterback and it was such a great feeling,” Campbell told 11 Personnel. “It was just like, WOW.”

Here’s the thing: the light bulb went off once he found success, but where was that going to take him? He never thought it would be to a place where the Alabamas and Notre Dames of the world were doing everything they could to get him to play for their team.

“It was kind of overwhelming but exciting at the same time,” he said. “I don’t really know how to explain it, I’m not gonna lie.”

When he was directly asked if there was a moment where he became confident he could be that guy, Campbell didn’t have an answer. However, his maternal grandmother did have an answer.

“I noticed something in him at nine months of age. He used to go up and down stairs. He could walk. He was fast and he had speed…. He was abnormal,” she said, drawing a laugh from the crowd of 40-50 people. “That’s when it started.”

Javeon Campbell is abnormal in so many ways for a top-flight, Blue Chip recruit. Wan’Dale Robinson was one of the onlookers at the ceremony. When he made his announcement, it was following three-plus years of scrutiny. There was so much pressure coming from so many directions throughout the process, it would make any adult weary and jaded, let alone a teenager.

Even though it may have felt like it for him, there was not a circus surrounding Campbell. Everything happened so fast, that he didn’t have enough time to become a professional recruit. He’s just a kid learning a new game and just so happens to be pretty damn good at it. I asked Campbell what the most difficult part of picking up the sport of football has been, and it was the simplest answer possible.

“Putting your hands on somebody and moving them. It’s difficult because they’re not gonna just let you go. You need to be kind of like forceful with it,” he said.

There’s a sweet innocence and naivete to Campbell. Even though he’s an imposing 6-foot-5, 270-pound athlete, there’s still so much for him to learn. He’s excited to be able to do just that with the best of the best right down the road from his hometown.

“Right now, I’m still in the learning process of everything and I still need to develop. I want to be developed by a guy that I have a great relationship with, so that’s what made Kentucky a great place for me,” Campbell said.

His approach is a refreshing breath of fresh air that will make him a fan favorite in Lexington. There’s a long way to go, but if he can reach his lofty ceiling, Kentucky fans will be treated to something special from the homegrown talent.