Chase Campbell's priorities matched up with Texas Tech
4-star WR Chase Campbell had several priorities when it came to picking the right school. After a long recruitment with revolving commitment dates and announcements, Campbell made it official with Texas Tech Tuesday. The Wolfforth (TX) Frenship wideout chose the Red Raiders over Big 12 foes Baylor and Kansas State.
Among his priorities were player development– his ultimate end goal is to reach the NFL. Becoming a Red Raider, he feels he will be developed to achieve that goal. Plus, playing practically in your backyard is a great bonus for Campbell and his family.
“It’s a great feeling knowing that I don’t have to go too far to be able to play good football and be close to my family,” Campbell told a scrum of media following his in-home announcement. “I feel like (Tech) has the facilities to do that. They’re in a conference to do that in the Big 12. And then also just the people to do that. Coach (Joey) McGuire, coach Juice (Johnson), I feel like they’ll develop me. And coach (Mack) Leftwich with the offense.”
Campbell only recently had his decision made
It was originally believed Campbell would be announcing his decision on July 14. Due to some hiccups out of his control, these plans fell through. It was not until July 16, however, that Campbell solidified his pledge with Tech. He informed head coach Joey McGuire and wide receivers coach Juice Johnson of his decision. The pair kept it quiet and gave Campbell his moment on the 22nd.
“I was just trying to figure out what was best for me,” he said. “Not rushing it, not going off of what anyone else says. Just it’s my decision. So I did it when it felt right… They were very fired up, I can tell you that. Coach McGuire, he was happy for me, he was ready. (Coach Juice) is a great guy, I’ve been around him a lot, obviously being here in Lubbock. Him just showing me a lot of film, sending me film, drills they work on. Just feel like it was right.”
The coaching staff had to sell Campbell a different offense than when they first arrived. First-year offensive coordinator Mack Leftwich is bringing verticality and versatility from Texas State. Campbell is a fan of Leftwich’s scheme and views it as an avenue to put up big numbers.
“Coach Leftwich, they had very good production numbers where he was before at Texas State,” Campbell said. “Knowing that, they do a lot of option routes. It’s routes that you can’t really teach, but it’s more of a feel. I feel like that can help and I can produce well there.”
Campbell was a long-term priority for Texas Tech
The Red Raiders were Campbell’s first offer when he was in the eighth grade. His mother, DeeDee Brown-Campbell, is a Senior Associate Athletics Director with Tech Athletics, a job that brought the Campbells to Lubbock in the first place. It was, understandably, a tough transition for Chase when the family arrived from Waco. The connections both in and around the Red Raider football program have now paid off in keeping the stud wideout in West Texas.
“When we moved here it was tough, but I’ve said this before: sports really connects you,” DeeDee told me. “The folks that were here today, and tons that weren’t able to make it, just really helped him transition to being here in Lubbock and Frenship ISD… Chase had some great options, some great people that we got a chance to know and that were developing relationships with him.
“But you can’t beat having your kids stay close to home. And when you have a great opportunity with coach McGuire and his staff, the administration at Texas Tech, as well as the facilities and opportunities, of course. The community that just treats everybody at Texas Tech like they’re superstars and really supports them. I’m excited for Chase to do that at Tech, but also feed back into the community that supports him.”
