Kentucky keeps four-star defensive tackle Javeon Campbell in the state, away from several SEC and Big Ten opponents.
Frankford (Kentucky) Western Hills defensive lineman Javeon Campbell committed to Kentucky on Tuesday.
He joins the Wildcats’ Top 25 class as another four-star prospect, and both 247Sports and the 247Sports Composite rank him as the top recruit in Kentucky.
“All the coaches at Kentucky made it feel like home there and the way they are so honest and just great overall people,” Campbell said.
Campbell (6-5, 265 pounds) didn’t start football until his junior year. He was a basketball player who was persuaded by Western Hills’ coaches to try football. He took it up quickly, earning 14.5 sacks as a junior.
By the end of the season, he had received no FBS offers. He joins the Wildcat class with a total of 23 offers. Alabama, Georgia, and Miami were his other finalists, but Auburn, Michigan, Ohio State, and other schools had also made offers and were considered.
He made unofficial visits to Kentucky during the winter and spring before taking his formal trip on June 7th.
“The Kentucky fan base is great and just an amazing community and the program is building something great and I want to be a part of it,” Campbell told reporters.
In addition to being the state’s best prospect, Campbell is ranked No. 109 in the national rankings and No. 15 as a defensive lineman.
“I’ve had the opportunity the last six years to coach seven other guys who have played Division I football, one being a starter at Tennessee as a sophomore and I’ll be honest, Javeon’s upside is higher than really just about anybody’s I’ve coached,” Simon Vanderpool, head coach of Western Hills University, stated.”It’s a combination of size, speed, and the persistence required to compete at that level. I truly believe the sky is the limit for him. He’s the type of kid you look at and say, “Maybe he’ll get a chance to play on Sunday.” It’s unusual to see it, but many other coaches have told me the same thing. He’s a genuinely lovely kid who comes from a great family; it all starts at home, and it’s really easy to train him.”
Kentucky already has 15 commitments in their class. Campbell, along with Top 100 recruit Cedric Works and Georgia native Nicholas Smith, form a strong defensive line trio. He is their second in-state signee, behind safety Martels Carter.
