Kamren Campbell is a 2021 recruit from St. Charles Catholic High School in LaPlace, La. The 5’10 180 pound defensive back was a ball hawk for the Comets in 2019. Coming up with four interceptions, returning one for a touchdown, and causing eight PBUs as well as having 17 tackles. Campbell has excellent vision, and hip mobility to transition to run with larger receivers. He tells me he has a forty time in the “high 4.4s” but hasn’t run it in a while. He currently has a 235 pound bench, a 435 pound squat, and 450 pound deadlift. Campbell also has a 2.9 GPA and is waiting on his results of the ACT.
When did you start playing football?
I started at four, my dad, he coached the team at that time. It was like for a recreation league. He put me in with the five and six year olds so I could see what the talent was going to be like the next year. So I could learn early, so I could get the mechanics down. It was tackle football in Norco. I can’t remember the teams name but it was in Norco.
Did you play any other sports growing up?
Yes sir, I played basketball and I also ran track.
Are you still playing basketball and running track?
Yes sir, I’m playing basketball and running track. I play the one through five, because we’re in the Catholic School league and there’s not a lot of big dudes as far as size. We’re all pretty even height. So I can play the one through five. For track I do the 200 and the 4×100 and the 4×200 relay.
Growing up did you always play corner, or did you play any other positions?
Oh no sir, really when I first came to high school is when I started playing DB. I was actually a running back my entire life, until high school.
What brought about the switch?
Honestly, I was a little scared. I looked at the talent that came before me at running back, and thought ‘this might not work’ because I was really small. I was one of the smallest newcomers. So I was like ‘let me see what will work for me.’ I have great footwork and an aggressive mind set. I heard that the coach liked hard hitting DBs, and they like to move around. So I was like let me switch over there and see how I like it. After that, it was history.
What were some of your goals last season?
Bring my tackle numbers up, get my tackles up. I wanted to have five interceptions and win my one on ones. My tackle numbers stayed about the same, I fell short on my interceptions by one, I only had four this past season, and I won most of my one on ones.
Who would you say some of your biggest influences are?
I would definitely say William Jackson, he went to Houston. Definitely a really good guy, really fast. I just thought he was always a really good guy. Brandon Wilson, he played for the Bengals. I always looked up to him because he was really fast, and did everything he could, always seemed to know what he was doing. I’d also say probably Xavier Rhodes, because he’s a big physical dude, always around the ball, always trying to make plays.
So, who is your favorite NFL player?
I would have to go with my favorite corner back, Darrius Slay. I say that because his mentality is just different. I’m sure there are better people than him, but he just has that mentality that no one can be better than me. He always has a punch you in the face, and do more and achieve more (mentality). He is just an elite guy that I strive to be like, maybe even better.
What motivates you the most?
I would say my mom, just because she is my number one fan. When my dad had work, she would take off to come see my games, giving me rides, getting me wherever I needed. She just boosts my morale even more to go do what I got to do. She helps me achieve my goals.
So what has football taught you about yourself?
It’s taught me that I’m not really a vocal leader, more like I just do what I do, and people will follow me. Also I know this sounds kind of cliché but it has taught me to be a man. It is kind of my home outside of my home. My responsibilities, like what I have to do. It’s taught me how to manage time well too.
On a scale of 1-10, what would be your ideal game day performance number?
You have to say a ten. Of course you are going to mess up, but do that full speed so it doesn’t look like you messed up at all. You will never have a perfect game. But, you always have to shoot for the stars, and say a ten.
At the end of this coming season, what would you want your coaches and teammates to say about you?
I want them to say how dedicated I am to my craft, even outside the team, like on another level. How dedicated to the team, dedicated to the defense. I was always trying to get to the ball I was always trying to make a play. That I had an energy, a passion and it showed and affected everyone.
If you weren’t playing football, what sport do you think you would be playing?
One hundred percent track.
What do you love most about football?
Football is my release, like if I’m having a bad day throw the football, I’ll start to feel better. If I’m having a good day, playing football makes it a great day.
