Ohio Football

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Rising Star: Jalen Campbell

By Dan Clasgens | Managing Editor

Jalen Campbell had 11 total touchdowns as a junior for Springboro.

A junior campaign with 924 receiving yards, 204 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns is impressive by any standards, but when you consider that Springboro’s Jalen Campbell did that in only seven games you quickly see why the Panthers’ running back is the latest player to be featured in our Rising Star Series.

His performance earned his First-Team GWOC South honors and left him sixth overall in the conference in rushing. The 6-foot-1, 185-pounder is the latest in a long line of great rushers at the school, a list that includes his older brother, Antoin.

“I learned to catch from playing football in the backyard with my older brother and his friend and the kids around our house every day,” Campbell said.

Those receiving skills have developed quite a bit since his days of playing in the neighborhood. He pulled in 22 balls out of the backfield last season. The senior-to-be appears to be a good fit in what head coach Ryan Wilhite likes to do offensively and has enjoyed playing in his system.

“Coach Wilhite is a great coach to play under,” Campbell claimed. “His experience helps me fix problems and become a much better football player.”

Campbell has drawn a great amount of attention on the recruiting trail, yet is still waiting for his first offer.

“Bowling Green has said they would be offering me very soon and have been staying in touch,” he stated. “Akron has been talking to me strongly and the same for Youngstown State.”

For now Campbell has been busy this summer attending camps and working on improving his game. He attended camps at Toledo, Bowling Green, and Ohio State this July and has been trying to get fasters.

“At these camps I learned what they expect out of you at a college level,” Campbell explained. This had made me turn my intensity and effort way higher.”

In addition, he runs track which has improved his speed greatly. He has trimmed nearly 0.3 of a second of his 40-time over the past year, including turning out 4.46 and a 4.45 times at the Bowling Green camp.

FINAL TAKE: The best is yet to come for Campbell. He has the ability to get Springboro to the playoffs with a big season. Regardless of whether or not the Panthers move, you better believe that Campbell’s football career will not end in Week 10. His big-play ability is highly coveted at the next level and if things go as expected Campbell will get his chance.

Dan Clasgens is a co-founder of TSF and serves as the President/Director of Media & Content for our parent company, GetSports Enterprises LLC. In addition to nearly a decade of experience in covering local high school football, Dan is a widely recognized as a fantasy football guru. He is both a local and national radio personality, including hosting a weekly show on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio. If you are interested in covering your team, please CONTACT US.