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Jihaad Campbell on Ohio State, Clemson, cooking up a big future

Jeremy-Birminghamby:Jeremy Birmingham•12/28/20•

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Ohio State football recruiting can be a wild ride full of twists and turns as recruits from all over the country maneuver their way to signing day. Lettermen Row is here to help navigate the tumultuous roads by getting to the heart of the matter with the young football players and Ohio State coaches and staff members themselves. This week’s guest is 2022 defensive prospect Jihaad Campbell, who has been hearing a lot from the Buckeyes.

At 6-foot-4 and 220-pounds already, it’s not a surprise that Erial (N.J.) Timber Creek athlete Jihaad Campbell has drawn the attention of college football scouts and recruiters. He’s big, fast, has incredible length from the linebacker position and a frame that looks like it could comfortably hold another 25-30 pounds without losing a step.

That’s why almost 25 colleges have offered him a scholarship to this point and that’s why he’s been noticed, and recruited, by the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. where he’ll spend the remainder of his prep football career. The decision to transfer to IMG for his senior season, a move made because Campbell believes it will better prepare him for life in college, will help shine an even brighter light on the recruitment of the country’s No. 17-ranked weakside defensive end prospect.

Ohio State and Clemson are two of the biggest offers any player in America can receive and Campbell has scholarships from each, so it’s hard to call him a “secret” at this point but his national ranking isn’t entirely jiving with what is easy to see on his highlight film.

The frame, the film and the upside are all reasons why Ohio State has turned up its focus on Jihaad Campbell. The Buckeyes legacy of success, and the potential impact of working alongside Larry Johnson — provided his body fills out as it appears it can — is what has drawn Campbell’s attention.

“They’re a great program with a lot of knowledgeable coaches on staff,” Campbell has told Lettermen Row about the Ohio State interest. “They’ve got a winning tradition and they work very hard. I’ve heard that [Larry Johnson] is the best defensive line coach in college football.”

There’s a lot of recruiting ahead of Jihaad Campbell but Ohio State is one program to watch moving forward. The rising defensive prospect joined Birminology to talk about his process, what he thinks of the Buckeyes and the attention he’s receiving, plus his future plans away from the field.

Get to know the talented prep star with Lettermen Row.

(The video of Campbell’s interview, due to a technical error, is unavailable. Please accept our apologies.)

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