A new address has resulted in a renewed spirit for John Campbell
When John Campbell went through the recruiting process a second time as a transfer the Orlando area native went through it quietly.
He said his phone was blowing up constantly as he didn’t talk to anyone so Monday when the Miami transfer met the media for the first time, there were plenty of questions. And the left tackle had plenty of answers including how he’s still surprised ended up on Rocky Top.
Tennessee and everyone assumed they had an inside track for Campbell because of his relationship to quarterback Joe Milton, who has known for years.
“Oh yeah, I knew Joe for a long time,” Campbell said flashing his gold grill. “High school rivals. We just go on bus tours together. It’s just a great playing with someone you know, just having somebody you know from high school. That’s one thing I didn’t really have at The U. like any of my guys there. Just like having other guys, like having their high school teammates and stuff and like friends that they knew, it was just really well to just play for those guys. It really build chemistry. So I just feel that’s a good thing to play with someone you know. Just probably make someone just wanna go harder, extra mile for that person, you know? Just how they battle.”
Despite knowing Milton and getting a sales pitch from the guy he would be blocking for, Campbell gave the Vols a hard pass initially.
“I’m not gonna lie, I shot down Tennessee,” Campbell said. “Like what? In my mind, I’m not gonna go to Tennessee. I wanted go somewhere else, but it just felt like the right decision. Like just with the people and the UCF staff, I was familiar with them. Like we got McKenzie Milton here from Orlando, he did a lot for the city, getting that team back, he offensive system that they’re running. So I just really put my trust into those guys to just really come here. And it’s a life-changing decision.”
That trust came at the advice of some unlikely help for Josh Heupel, and Glen Elarbee.
“Yeah, so like, who really made me going to come to Tennessee was, I give a shout out to Charlie Strong and Trent Williams. Trent Williams, he is the real like guy who really made me come here,” Campbell offered. “Coach Strong, he said he knew the coach over here. And they said he’ll take care of me, it’s a place that I will fit at. But I was just like, I’m sure like Tennessee, like, I’m from Florida, like coming to Tennessee I thought it was just gonna be flat land here, like nothing. I’m in Knoxville, taking my (official visit) I’m like, I dunno, like do I wanna come come out here and see it? But I’m like, man, I just went in and I did it came out here. I’m like dang, it’s a city, like it look cool. You feel me.”
It wasn’t like Campbell was without success on South Beach. In 2022, Campbell started all 12 games for the ‘Canes as he recovered from an injury that cost him the 2021 season. But Campbell said he found himself at the end of last season wanting more.
“I mean, I felt like I had a good year last year, but I felt like I didn’t really have a lot of exposure just playing there at the other place,” Campbell said. “Just the difference in the fans. You know, this game is sold out, a hundred whatever thousand (fans). You know, Miami is everything. Like we got the Heat, we got the Dolphins, we got all these teams. So like fans, it’s too much, you know what I’m saying? Our game’s not a lot of people there, so I just feel like the SEC is a big stage to play on and something good to get my exposure up there.”
Now that he’s entrenched on Rocky Top, Tennessee needs him entrenched in the starting line up at tackle as they look to replace Darnell Wright, who was the 10th pick of the draft by the Chicago Bears. Campbell has worked exclusively at left tackle and Elarbee said Monday that he has seen a real transformation in Campbell since spring practice.
“I think two things with John,” Elarbee said. “I think he’s a little bit healthier. He played all of last year and had the injury, and I think he’s just moving better, but also, for sure in shape. Then it’s just the confidence of knowing the offense a little better. The more you know what you’re doing, and have confidence in it, the faster you’re going to play as well.”
Confident is the best way to describe John Campbell. He’s has a renewed confidence in himself and has confidence at a place he never imagined he would be at 8 months ago.
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