ATLANTA-When Kelly Campbell started his high school football career at Mays High School in Atlanta, no one believed he would one day be a star receiver for a Division I football program. No one, that is, but Kelly Campbell and his mom.
“I’m proud to be here because through high school I had a lot of people telling me that I wouldn’t be able to play in Division I football, that I wouldn’t play in the NFL,” Campbell said. “They were telling me that I’m too small.”
Fortunately for the Yellow Jackets, Campbell listened to his mom instead of the naysayers.
“My mom told me, ‘Don’t listen to what people tell you because you can make happen whatever you want to happen,'” Campbell said. “‘You can do anything you set your mind to. Just go out there and work hard at it.'”
So Campbell did. Although he never touched the ball in a game until his senior year, he rushed for 615 yards on just 35 carries when finally given a chance. He also caught three passes for 85 yards, returned seven kickoffs for 239 yards and scored 15 touchdowns. He was offered a scholarship to Georgia Tech, converted from running back to flanker, and has thrived ever since.
With a year and a half left in his college career, Campbell is already staking his place in Georgia Tech history. As a sophomore, he shattered Harvey Middleton’s three-year-old record of 64 receptions in a season with 69 and broke Dez White’s 1998 record for receiving yards in a season (973) with 1,102.
In Tech’s win over North Carolina, Campbell’s 16-yard touchdown catch tied Tech’s career record for touchdown receptions (14), also held by Dez White (1997-99), Buck Martin (1950-52) and Gary Lee (1983-86). Additionally, he is sixth on Tech’s career receiving list with 104 catches, and is eighth in career receiving yards (1,533).
As Campbell makes his assault on the Georgia Tech record books, he continues to focus on his goals.
“I’m excited about the records,” said the 1999 first-team all-ACC receiver, “knowing that I’ve performed up to my ability. I just can’t allow myself to keep that in my mind and let that take away from my game. I just want to continue to play well, and if I continue to break records that’s good, but that’s not really why I’m here. I’m here to make myself a better football player – on and off the field – get a good education and a degree and go on to the next level.”
Campbell has learned a lot during his time at Georgia Tech. He has grown both on and off the field under the tutelage of head coach George O’Leary and offensive coordinator Ralph Friedgen.
“The biggest thing I’ve learned is that if you are doing what you are supposed to do at all times, being accountable, you will never get in trouble,” Campbell stated. “I’ve also become a better player. Coach Friedgen is a very good coach. I think it’s good being in his offense, especially with him coming from the NFL. A lot of people are telling me that this is the same type of offense that the next level runs, which is an advantage to me. Ever since I was a little child all I’ve wanted to do is go to the NFL and play football. If I get drafted in the NFL, I don’t know what to say, because it just would be a very exciting time in my life to know that I made it to where I wanted to be.”
For now, where Campbell wants to be is leading the Yellow Jackets both on and off the field.
“I believe my role is to lead the team, to be one of the leaders,” Campbell said. “I want to show the young players, like I’ve been shown, the dos and don’ts. I want to be able to show leadership on the field as far as playing well, being sportsmanlike, being able to win games for the football team and taking them to a bowl game. Off the field, being a leader, being accountable for going to class and just doing the things that are right.”
Campbell credits his mom, Belinda Campbell, with making him the player and person he is today.
“She has always been there supporting me, bringing me up in a Christian home,” Campbell said. “She’s also a minister so you know she keeps me on the right track. She teaches me about life – the rights and wrongs, the dos and don’ts – and I love her for that.”
Georgia Tech’s Career Receiving Leaders
RECEPTIONS Years Rec.1. Harvey Middleton 1994-97 1652. Bobby Rodriguez 1989-92 115 Jerry Mays 1985-89 1154. Robert Lavette 1981-84 1145. John Sias 1966-68 1106. Kelly Cambpell 1998- 104 RECEIVING YARDS Years Yds1. Harvey Middleton 1994-97 2,2912. Dez White 1997-99 1,8333. John Sias 1966-68 1,7274. Bobby Rodriguez 1989-92 1,6815. Derrick Steagall 1993-97 1,6396. Jimmy Robinson 1972-74 1,633 Greg Lester 1987-91 1,6338. Kelly Campbell 1998- 1,533RECEIVING TD Years Yds1. Dez White 1997-99 14 Buck Martin 1950-52 14 Gary Lee 1983-86 14 Kelly Campbell 1998- 14
