A "BIG" first for Sault Area High School as one of their top athletes has committed to play football at a Big 10 university.
Last weekend, Callen Campbell visited Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. He came back home as a Wildcat.
This is the first time a football player from Sault Area High School will be playing at a Big 10 university.
Even though Campbell is currently a junior, he will be graduating from Sault High in December....six months ahead of schedule.
That leaves one more season to play as a Blue Devil this coming fall before heading off to Evanston.
Northwestern Football Coach Pat Fitzgerald really liked what he saw in the 6 foot 4 inch, 255 pound Campbell.
"I am pretty quick and good with my hands for my size. Coach Fitzgerald said he wants me at defensive end," Campbell said.
Through his first three years playing on the varsity, Campbell has won numerous awards including team MVP, Max Preps All-American at tight end, All U.P. all three years, and All-State this past season,
Northwestern was not the only Big 10 University that was going after Campbell.
Iowa, Illinois and Minnesota were three others very interested in him. But Northwestern was the best fit for Campbell.
"I went there this past weekend and loved it. The coaches and the facilities made it a perfect fit for me," continued Campbell.
Campbell's father, Gordi, who also is an assistant coach on the Blue Devils football team, was also very impressed with Northwestern.
"The (Ryan Fieldhouse and Walter Athletics Facility) place is incredible. It is located on the shoreline of Lake Michigan. The facilities themselves are amazing," Gordi Campbell explained.
"I am just grateful that I am able to represent all the hard work I have done and the team itself has done. It's refreshing that you can play here and they will find you," Campbell continued.
Blue Devil head coach, Scott Menard, has known Campbell since he was in elementary school. He always knew there was something special about him.
"When he was in eighth grade, he wanted to put on a uniform then and play on varsity! A year later, he played on varsity as a freshman. He had a huge impact on our season as a freshman. He's the prototypical kid that would do all the right things, say the right things and have a great attitude. He's been a great model for what Blue Devil football is about and what football is about in the U.P.", Menard said.
Campbell will be studying business but also says he wants to get some background in journalism.
"It's been fun touring the Big 10 schools. I like being someone who has done it. Being from here, you are not expected to get into the Big 10. I want to be an inspiration and let others know that you can do anything no matter where you are from," Campbell added.
