Caleb Campbell

Caleb Campbell

Detroit Lions
Career information
College:	Army
NFL draft:	2008 / Round: 7 / Pick: 288
Career history
Detroit Lions (2008 - present)
Roster status:	Unsigned rookie draft pick

Caleb Matthew Campbell (born September 14, 1984 in Perryton, Texas) is an American football Saftey for the Detroit Lions. He played college football at West Point. He was selected in the seventh round (288th overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions.

High school career

Campbell attened Perryton High School where he lettered three times in football. He earned four additional letters in basketball and three in track and field. Campbell aslo served as the grid team captain as a senior. In football he played both quarterback and free safety. Campbell was named Amarillo Globe News A-3 “Player of the Year”. He also gained All-state honors during his junior and senior years. He was an all-state selection on both offense and defense. Campbell was a two-time All-Conference selection. He was also an all-district selection as well. he earned first team All-League honors at both positions as a senior. He rushed for 950 yards and 15 touchdowns during senior season. Campbell also passed for seven touchdowns. He totaled 32 tackles, four forced fumbles, five pass breakups and one interception on defense. He was a sprinter on the track team. He also played guard on the basketball team. He was selected as a team captain in basketball as a senior. He was active in a local church youth group. listed in “Who’s Who Among American High School Students”. He also served as teacher’s aid for a local elementary school.

College career

Before attending West Point, Campbell attended the United States Military Academy Preparatory School, where he was a three-year letterman.

While at West Point, Campbell majored in Latin American Studies.

Freshman (2004)

In 2004, Campbell played in all 11 games. He was named to the C-USA All-Freshman Team. He moved into the starting lineup during midseason and remained there. Campbell started the final six games at the “whip” position. His first career start came an away game against USF. Campbell ranked fifth on the team with 54 tackles. He tied for second on the team with two forced fumbles. Campbell recorded 48 tackles over the final seven games. He recorded four tackles for loss, including a half of a sack. Campbell recorded then-career-high 12 tackles against UAB in the home finale. He assisted with Greg Washington for his first career sack. Campbell also recorded his second forced fumble. He recorded successive eight-tackle games against Cincinnati and USF. Campbell matched that total against Air Force. He recorded six tackles, including tackle for loss, against East Carolina. Campbell recorded three tackles at Tulane. He ended the season with a three-tackle game against Navy. Campbell was credited with two tackles in games against Louisville, Connecticut Huskies#Football|UConn]] and TCU. He also recorded tackles for loss against both TCU and USF. Campbell was one of just seven freshmen to earn varsity letter.

Sophomore (2005)

In 2005, Campbell started all 11 games. He led the team with 97 tackles. He also sharedthe team MVP honors with running back Carlton Jones. Campbell was credited with 63 solo tackles. He averaged 8.8 tackles per game. Campbell recorded five double-digit tackle games, leading the team. He also led the team with five interceptions. Campbell ranked ninth nationally in interceptions. He averaged 0.45 interceptions per game, averaged 9.4 yards per interception return. Campbell's interception total stands as highest by an Army player since Kenny Dale Rowland recorded five interceptions in 1998. He recorded three pass breakups as well. Campbell took over the team lead in tackles following a 13-tackle game against UConn. His total tackes equaled a career high established earlier in the year. Campbell was credited with nine solo tackles in that game. He led the team in tackles the rest of year. Campbell set a new career best with 21 tackles during a historic road victory at Air Force. That total marked the highest tackle total by an Army player in six years. He recorded one of just 12 20-plus tackle games in the nation. Campbell recorded one tackle for loss and one pass breakup against the Air Force. He recorded 13 tackles in the season-opening loss at Boston College, including 10 solo tackles, and a pass breakup. Campbell recorded 10 tackles against both TCU and Navy. He was credited with eight solo tackles against the Horned Frogs, and nine against Navy. He recorded his third interception of the season on a leaping grab against TCU. Campbell finished with five tackles and one interception to help Army defeat Akron. He returned the interception 22 yards to the Akron 22 yard line, setting up the first touchdown of the game. Campbell recorded six tackles, one interception and one pass breakup against Arkansas State. He returned the interception 14 yards. Campbell recorded five tackles, including one for loss, during home win over University of Massachusetts. He rcorded four tackles against Baylor. Campbell recorded his first collegiate interception with a second-quarter interception against the Bears, which was returned 11 yards. He recorded his second interception the following week in home loss to Iowa State. Campbell made a diving catch of a tipped pass. The interception set up a go-ahead Army score late in third quarter. He was credited with six tackles against the Cyclones. He recorded four tackles against Centeral Michigan.

Junior (2006)

In 2006, Campbell was a starter for each of season’s first nine games. He was the starting strong safety before suffering a season-ending knee injury in a road game against Tulane. Campbell ranked third on the team in tackles with 59 at the time of the injury. He ended the year fourth despite missing the season’s final three games. Campbell was credited with 30 solo tackles. He recorded two tackles for loss, two pass breakups, one forced fumble and one interception as well. Campbell recorded at least nine tackles on three occasions. He registered a season-high 13 tackles in loss to Texas A&M. Campbell was credited with five solo tackles and one tackle for loss in the game. He recorded nine tackles, one tackle for loss and one pass breakup during road game at UConn. Campbell recorded nine tackles and one pass breakup in the home-opening win over Kent State. He a solid all-around game in a home game against TCU. Campbell finished with the game with seven tackles, one forced fumble and one interception against the Horned Frogs. He was credited with five solo tackles in the game. Campbell recorded six tackles against Tulane before leaving game due to an injury. He recorded five tackles apiece during games against Baylor and Rice. Campbell finished with three tackles during the season opener at Arkansas State. He battled an illness throughout the game. He recorded two tackles against VMI.

Senior (2007)

In 2007 NCAA Division I-A football season|2007]], Campbell was named to preseason Watch List for the Ronnie Lott Trophy, that is awarded to the nation’s defensive player of the year. He was also on the preseason watch list for the award heading into junior campaign as well. Campbell missed all of the 2007 spring practice recovering from knee injury. He was selected one of team’s captains for his senior season, along with Tony Fusco, Jeremy Trimble and Mike Viti.

For the season, Campbell finished second on the team on defense. He played in and started all 12 games of the season. He recorded 97 total tackles (68 solo), two tackles for loss, thee forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. He also had two pass break ups, and two passes defensed.

Campbell became the 22nd Army player to perform in the East-West Shrine Game.

Honors

Campbell was named to ECAC Division I-A Football All-Star team in 2005. He holds seven career double-digit tackle games. He appeared in 31 consecutive games before suffering a season-ending knee injury against Tulane in 2006.

Military future

Due to a newly implemented rule at the U.S. Military Academy that would change the way cadets are selected in the NFL Draft. Campbell was able to pursue a professional football career.

The rule states:

Cadets accepted into the program, "will owe two years of active service in the Army, during which time they will be allowed to play their sport in the player-development systems of their respective organizations and be assigned to recruiting stations. If they remain in professional sports following those two years, they will be provided the option of buying out the remaining three years of their active-duty commitment in exchange for six years of reserve time."

Professional career

Campbell was the first Army football player, that is not a kicker to be invited to the NFL Scouting Combine. At the combine, Campbell ran a 4.56 second 40-yard dash.

On April 26, 2008, Campbell along with punter Owen Tolson were featured in an interview piece on CNN Headline News. The piece, featured interviews with both players and Army football head coach Stan Brock, it aired 10 minutes and 40 minutes after the hour from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

It focused on the NFL prospects of the two, both of whom participated in the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis in March 2008. In addition, the two players discuss the Department of the Army's alternative service option plan which would allow them to play in the NFL in 2008. The CNN Headline News piece was the second national story about Army players NFL chances that week. ESPN's E:60 newsmagazine show profiled Campbell.

During the 2008 NFL Draft, Campbell was featured several times. He was interviewed, and asked about his opinion on the "Service option" rule that allowed him and teammate Owen Tolson to enter the NFL Draft upon graduation.

NFL Draft

Campbell was selected in the seventh round (288th overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions.

Personal

Campbell's parents are Gregg and Stephanie Campbell, his older brother, Jacob, has been professional bull-rider. His younger brother, Jeremy, has prosthetic leg, yet still played quarterback on his high school football team. Jeremy Campbell participated in Paralympics World Games in track in 2006, and remains a member of U.S. national team.

External links

• Army Black Knights bio
• NFL Draft profile
• Draft profile at SI.com