William Campbell (gridiron football)

William Campbell (born July 6, 1991) is an American former professional football offensive tackle. He played college football at Michigan. Campbell was selected by the New York Jets in the sixth round of the 2013 NFL draft. He was also a member of the Buffalo Bills, Green Bay Packers, Tennessee Titans, Toronto Argonauts, Tampa Bay Vipers, and Seattle Dragons.

William Campbell
refer to caption
Campbell with Michigan in 2009
No. 65, 62, 64, 69
Position:Offensive tackle
Personal information
Born: (1991-07-06) July 6, 1991 (age 33)
Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Height:6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:308 lb (140 kg)
Career information
High school:Detroit (MI) Cass Tech
College:Michigan
NFL draft:2013 / round: 6 / pick: 178
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Stats at Pro Football Reference
Stats at CFL.ca

Early life

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He played high school football under head coach Thomas Wilcher at Cass Technical High School in Detroit. While in high school, the 6 foot, 5 inch defensive tackle was also the team's punter and kicker and ran the 40-yard dash in 4.9 seconds.[1] He played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, was selected as a first-team All-American by Parade magazine, EA Sports, and SuperPrep magazine. He was ranked as the best high school player in Michigan, the best defensive player in the Midwest, and one of the top high school players in the United States.[1][2] Campbell had numerous scholarships offers and eventually narrowed his choice to Miami, LSU, and Michigan.[2]

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight 40 Commit date
William Campbell
Defensive tackle
Detroit, Michigan Cass Tech High School 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 317 lb (144 kg) 5.0 (According to Scout.com) Jan 3, 2008 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247SportsN/A
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 6 (DT)   Rivals: 26 National, 5 (DT), 1 (Mich)
  • ‡ Refers to 40 yard dash
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height, weight and 40 time.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Michigan Football Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  • "2009 Michigan Football Recruiting Commits". Scout.com. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  • "2009 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved February 3, 2014.

College career

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He had committed to play for Michigan while Lloyd Carr was head coach, but reopened his recruiting in September 2008 after Rich Rodriguez took over as the head coach.[2] In January 2009, on the sidelines of the Army All-American Bowl, Campbell committed to Michigan.[3]

 
Campbell (73) with the Michigan Wolverines in 2012.

2009 season

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Campbell enrolled early at Michigan in January 2009 and participated in the Michigan football team's spring practice.[2] During the 2009 season, Campbell appeared as a true freshman in all 12 games on special teams and played in nine games as a defensive tackle.[1]

2010 season

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Midway through the 2010 season, head coach Rich Rodriguez assigned Campbell to the offensive line. He also appeared as a fullback in goal line situations. He appeared in all 13 games for Michigan and received his second varsity letter.[1]

2011 season

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When new head coach Brady Hoke took over in January 2011, Campbell met with Hoke and asked to return to the defense.[4] In March 2011, Hoke announced that Campbell was returning to the defense.[5] Campbell appeared in all 13 games for the 2011 Michigan team. He recovered a fumble in Michigan's come-from-behind victory over Notre Dame in the first night game ever played at Michigan Stadium.[1] After a disappointing showing in his first two seasons,[6] Campbell won praise in the press for his improved play in 2011.[7]

2012 season

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Jibreel Black and Will Cambell on Michigan bench

In late May 2012, Campbell was charged with felony malicious-destruction-of-property arising out of an incident on April 7 in which the 322-pound athlete "slid across the hood" of a Lincoln Town Car, causing damage to the hood.[8][9][10] He reached a plea deal in June 2012 in which the felony charge was waived in exchange for a guilty plea to a misdemeanor charge and an agreement to pay $2,100 in restitution to the vehicle's owner.[10][11][12]

In August 2012, Campbell showed up at training camp having lost 46 pounds.[13][14][15][16][17][18][19] A writer for an Ann Arbor newspaper reported:

Overweight and out of shape for most of his career, Campbell generally spent the first week of Michigan football practice catching his breath and figuring out how he'd make it through the first month of the season. Not this time, though. 'I'm not huffing and puffing anymore,' the senior defensive tackle said after practice Monday. 'I'm not dying right now.'[13]

Teammate Taylor Lewan added, "His conditioning shows it. You should seem [sic] him run – it's like a gazelle. Unreal."[20] Team captain Denard Robinson joked: "Will shows off his stomach more than I do. You can tell that he lost that weight."[21]

Campbell was a starter at defensive tackle for the 2012 Michigan Wolverines football team.[22] He appeared in all of Michigan's first nine games. He totaled a career-high five tackles and had an unassisted sack in the season opener against Alabama. He has appeared in 47 consecutive games for Michigan.[1] He was a 2012 All-Big Ten honorable mention selection by the media for the 2012 Wolverines.[23][24]

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 5 in
(1.96 m)
311 lb
(141 kg)
5.15 s 1.87 s 2.97 s 4.70 s 7.30 s 27 in
(0.69 m)
8 ft 10 in
(2.69 m)
35 reps
All values are from Pro Day[25]

New York Jets

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Campbell was drafted by the New York Jets in the sixth round of the 2013 NFL draft on April 27, 2013.[26] He was released on August 30, 2014.[27]

Buffalo Bills

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Campbell was signed to the Buffalo Bills' practice squad on October 7, 2014.[28] On September 4, 2015, he was released by the Bills.[29]

 
Campbell before a Toronto Argonauts game in 2018

Green Bay Packers

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Campbell was signed to the Green Bay Packers' practice squad on January 5, 2016.[30] On January 18, 2016, he was re-signed by the Packers after the season ended.[31] Campbell was released on May 9, 2016.[32]

Tennessee Titans

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Campbell was signed by the Titans. On August 28, 2016, Campbell was waived by the Titans.[33]

Toronto Argonauts

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On June 3, 2017, Campbell signed with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League.

Tampa Bay Vipers

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In October 2019, Campbell was selected by the Tampa Bay Vipers in the 2020 XFL Draft.[34]

Seattle Dragons

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Campbell was traded to the Seattle Dragons along with wide receiver Alonzo Moore in exchange for defensive tackle Shane Bowman on January 19, 2020.[35] Campbell was waived on March 11, 2020.[36]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f "Will Campbell Profile". University of Michigan. Retrieved November 11, 2012.
  2. ^ a b c d Prosperi, Alex (March 27, 2009). "Campbell settling in early at Michigan". The Michigan Daily. Retrieved November 20, 2023 – via Google News.
  3. ^ Heuser, John (February 5, 2009). "Defensive lineman William Campbell adjusts to life at Michigan". MLive.com. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  4. ^ Rothstein, Michael (April 4, 2012). "Slimmer Campbell must play big: Senior has sizable shoes to fill along Michigan's defensive line". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  5. ^ "UM's Will Campbell back on defense". The Detroit News. March 9, 2011.
  6. ^ Sharp, Drew (August 18, 2011). "Campbell shows recruit rankings can be inflated". Detroit Free Press.[dead link]
  7. ^ Kyle Meinke (October 3, 2011). "Michigan defensive tackle Will Campbell receives more praise for his improving play, growing role". AnnArbor.com.
  8. ^ Kyle Feldscher (May 31, 2012). "Michigan defensive lineman Will Campbell arraigned on misdemeanor, felony vandalism charges". AnnArbor.com.
  9. ^ Mark Snyder (June 1, 2012). "Michigan's William Campbell faces two vandalism charges". USA Today. Retrieved June 24, 2012.
  10. ^ a b Mark Snyder (June 14, 2012). "Michigan DT Will Campbell reaches plea deal in court case". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved June 24, 2012.
  11. ^ "Michigan's Will Campbell gets plea deal in car damage case". The Sporting News. June 15, 2012.
  12. ^ Rothstein, Michael (June 14, 2012). "William Campbell pleads guilty". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  13. ^ a b Nick Baumgardner (August 7, 2012). "Slimmed down Will Campbell says he owes Michigan football fans a great senior season". AnnArbor.com.
  14. ^ Mark Snyder (August 2, 2012). "Michigan's Will Campbell has trimmed down, is ready to show how much he's grown". Orlando Sentinel.[dead link]
  15. ^ Mark Snyder (August 26, 2012). "Michigan's Will Campbell tackling expectations and leadership role". Detroit Free Press.
  16. ^ Michael Rothstein (August 8, 2012). "Campbell must take a stand: Senior defensive tackle is running out of time to deliver on his promise". ESPN.com.
  17. ^ Brad Galli (August 7, 2012). "Michigan's Will Campbell slims down, looks to reach potential". WXYZ.
  18. ^ Nick Baumgardner (June 27, 2012). "Greg Mattison tells BTN that Michigan senior DT Will Campbell 'has to be' the leader up front in 2012". AnnArbor.com.
  19. ^ Nick Baumgardner (March 29, 2012). "Done with excuses and no longer 'lazy,' Will Campbell hopes for big senior season at Michigan". AnnArbor.com.
  20. ^ Kyle Meinke (July 31, 2012). "Michigan's Will Campbell has been praised before, but Brady Hoke explains why this year is different". AnnArbor.com.
  21. ^ Stephen J. Nesbitt (August 6, 2012). "Slim Campbell poised to make big impact as a senior". The Michigan Daily.
  22. ^ Michael Rothstein (March 22, 2012). "DT Campbell running out of chances". ESPN.com.
  23. ^ "Lewan, Hagerup Win Top Position Awards at Big Ten Banquet". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. November 26, 2012. Retrieved November 27, 2012.
  24. ^ "Big Ten Announces 2012 All-Big Ten Teams and Select Individual Award Winners". BigTen.org. CBS Interactive. November 26, 2012. Archived from the original on November 30, 2012. Retrieved November 27, 2012.
  25. ^ "William Campbell - Michigan, DT : 2013 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile". NFLDraftScout.com. Retrieved November 22, 2016.
  26. ^ Cimini, Rich (April 27, 2013). "Sixth round: OL William Campbell". ESPN New York. Archived from the original on May 1, 2013. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
  27. ^ Lange, Randy (August 30, 2014). "Jets Make Final Cuts to Get to 53". New York Jets. Archived from the original on September 1, 2014. Retrieved August 30, 2014.
  28. ^ "Bills sign Campbell, Towns to practice squad". Associated Press. October 7, 2014. Archived from the original on December 28, 2014. Retrieved December 28, 2014.
  29. ^ Brown, Chris (September 4, 2015). "Leodis McKelvin to Reserve/NFI as Bills release 16". BuffaloBills.com. Archived from the original on September 17, 2015. Retrieved September 14, 2015.
  30. ^ "Packers announce roster moves". Packers.com. January 5, 2016. Retrieved November 22, 2016.
  31. ^ "Packers sign eight free agents". Packers.com. January 18, 2016. Archived from the original on July 29, 2016. Retrieved November 22, 2016.
  32. ^ "Packers sign T Jason Spriggs; announce roster moves". Packers.com. May 9, 2016. Archived from the original on November 18, 2016. Retrieved November 22, 2016.
  33. ^ "Titans Make First Round of Roster Cuts". TitansOnline.com. August 28, 2016. Archived from the original on August 7, 2017.
  34. ^ Bender, Bill (October 21, 2019). "XFL Draft picks 2019: Complete results, rosters, players for new football league". Sporting News. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
  35. ^ "XFL Transactions". XFL.com. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  36. ^ "XFL Transactions". XFL.com. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
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