Interview: 4-Star 2022 Texas OL Devon Campbell is Beyond Impressive in the Trenches
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Dominating on the gridiron against Texas 6A competition will bring a collegiate crowd in a hurry; that was the case for Class of 2022 offensive lineman Devon Campbell last season. Campbell was a man among boys lining up at right tackle for Bowie High School dominating all that got in his way. The 6-4, 275-pound, talent took to the task at hand for the first time ever, moving over from the defensive trenches, helping the Volunteers to an 8-4 season earning District Offensive Sophomore of the Year honors for his efforts. The well-deserved attention has prompted 23 programs to drop offers making the four-star recruit one of the more highly valued prospects at his position among his peers.
In an RNG exclusive, I sat down with the Arlington area standout learning more about his play on the field and offseason workouts.
Interview
DJ, at the end of different plays after you’ve been running downfield tossing defensive backs around, do you ever stop and laugh at the path of bodies laying in your wake?
(Laughs) “No, I focus on trying to get our offense rolling for the next play.”
The footspeed you have gives the coaching staff so many options; very rarely can a right tackle pull all the way to the other side of the field. How have you developed that speed over time? Did you play any other sports?
“My dad was a good runner, he played football as well. He trains me all the time. Yeah, I play basketball. That helps my footwork and agility.”
As mentioned, you toss guys around like rag dolls with so much ease and finish your blocks in the trenches. Did you count how many pancakes and/or knockdowns you had last season?
“I did not.”
Putting you on the spot here, but if you had to guess, how may do you think you averaged per game?
“About eight or nine per game.”
The game footage shows that. When did you get the call-up to the varsity level, and when did you find out you would be starting for the Volunteers?
“At the beginning of the season, over the summer in the conditioning camps. My coach told me over the summer that I had potential to be a starter. I went with that.”
Another part of your game that I like is how well you keep your hands inside when engaging a defender. What are some of the other key strengths to your game?
“Keeping my hands in, that is key, it comes with my feet and hands, not just pounding on a guy. You have to move explosively. My punch, I can kick, and I can down block well too.”
How did your overall game improve last season?
“My pass-set improved the most, because my sophomore year was my first playing the position seriously. During my freshman season, I was playing defense. We disagreed with the move to the offensive line. Before the season my kick step was bad, but it got better. Now it is still not the best but it got better.”
When the 2020 season gets going, where all will we see you on the field?
“I’ll still be at right tackle, but I might be on defense too.”
Since the season ended what have you been working on with your game?
“I’ve been working on my strength, trying to get into the weight room as much as I can, and I have been running a lot trying to lose some pounds.”
What has been your daily routine this spring?
“At 6:00, we go up to Bowie doing footwork drills, cone drills, and offensive line drills. Then we run to get in our conditioning. We try to get a lift in after that, then we have some fun playing 7v7.”
Are you going to any college camps this summer?
“Yes, a lot of camps. I will try to get to as many as possible.”
You have a load of offers. How many schools have offered you?
“Twenty-three.”
Campbell’s Offer Sheet: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Illinois State, Houston, Kansas, LSU, Miami, Missouri, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Penn State, SMU, TCU, Texas, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, and Tulsa
Nice. Are there any schools showing interest at this time but have not offered yet?
“Ohio State.”
Did you get any visits in over the last few months before the dead period?
“During the season I went to Oklahoma State for their game against Oklahoma, I went to SMU for their game against Texas State, and I went to Texas, and TCU.”
How did the Texas visit go?
“It went great. I loved it.”
And the TCU visit, how did that go?
“It was also great.”
Once the campuses open back up, are you planning any visits?
“Yes, sir. I am trying to take as many as I can.”
During this odd time that we are all going through, what have you been doing for fun to keep yourself balanced?
“If I am not working, I am working out at home or on the PS4 (PlayStation 4).”
Which games do you have going on PS4?
“2K, Madden, and Fortnight.”
Devon, it was a lot of fun covering all this ground with you today. I appreciate it, and wish you continued success with your offseason workouts.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Campbell family/Twitter; Devon Campbell at Texas at in action 2019