Columbus DB picks up Ole Miss offer
Columbus (Carver HS), Ga. defensive back Ryan Campbell is beginning to get a lot of attention in recruiting circles that includes two recent offers.
"I received a written offer from Ole Miss last week and I got a verbal offer from West Virginia about the same time," Campbell said on Tuesday evening. "I expect the West Virginia offer to come in the mail any day now."
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Campbell, a 6-foot, 183 pound defensive back - who could play either safety or cornerback at the collegiate level - ran a 4.4 40-yard dash at the Athens NIKE camp last April. He said he thinks his recruitment is picking up because of one thing - he recently scored a 20 on his ACT.
In addition to the recent offers, Campbell said that Memphis, Middle Tennessee State, UAB - "and lots of other schools" have been in contact with him or his coach since he received his ACT results.
It also hasn't hurt that Campbell's Carver team is 9-2 on the season and will meet Woodward Academy in the playoffs on Friday.
Campbell said he has six interceptions on the season to lead the city in that category and has returned two of the picks for touchdowns.
Meanwhile, two Ole Miss coaches visited his school last week - Rebel recruiting coordinator Chris Vaughn and running backs coach Derrick Nix.
"We talked on the phone after they came by," Campbell said. "They're just wanting to get me up for a visit and they talked about how they could use me at Ole Miss."
Campbell is quite sure where he'll play at the college level - safety or defensive back - and is somewhat torn between liking both positions.
"Man, I could add another 15 to 20 pounds and really be a hard hitting safety," Campbell said. "But, a lot of teams are looking at me as a cornerback."
Campbell calls the three Division I schools that have offered - Ole Miss, West Virginia, and Troy as his favorites.
"I really like Ole Miss, that the SEC and big time football, and it has a big time feel" Campbell said. "It's also a lot closer to home than West Virginia and I like what Ole Miss is telling me and how they're turning the program around."
Campbell said he liked the system that West Virginia runs and likes the school "a lot." However, it could be Troy that is the dark horse for Campbell.
"I like Troy a lot," Campbell said. "Coach (Neal) Brown and me have talked for a long time and I really like coach Brown. Troy is definitely an up and coming program. Did you see them play LSU? I wish they had hung on for a win there."
Campbell's current plan is to finish his career in the Georgia state playoffs, then focus on taking some recruiting official visits.
"I'm definitely going to visit all the schools that have offered," he said. "I don't plan on committing until after I finish my visits. But, if I find the right school, a place I like and feel at home, then I might go ahead and commit early."