U of M Football Team News

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Saturday, January 3, 2009
Cass Tech's Campbell picks U-M
Sam Webb / Special to The Detroit News

SAN ANTONIO -- For a young man whose destiny seemed to be a foregone conclusion a few months ago, Detroit Cass Tech star William Campbell did an outstanding job of injecting uncertainty and uneasiness into the hearts and minds of scores of college football fans.

Leading up to Saturday's Army All-American game, Michigan, LSU and Miami (Fla.) were waiting for the five-star lineman's third-quarter announcement. Only those who cheer for the Wolverines wound up celebrating the outcome.

Campbell is the No. 4-rated defensive tackle in the nation, according to the recruiting Web site Scout.com. He originally committed to Michigan but in September decided to rescind his commitment and said he would be visiting other schools.

That Campbell wound up recommitting to coach Rich Rodriguez's program came as a surprise to many recruiting observers, but that was a product of skillful misdirection on Campbell's part. Bland remarks about official visits combined with the release of a list of finalists devoid of Michigan earlier this week fueled rampant speculation about what he would do.

It was the suspense in his recruitment he had sought. But the intrigue he had so desired came at a price. It seemed everyone he ran into had a question or some advice about what he should do.

During his time in San Antonio, he came to the realization talking about his decision to media, friends and family was no longer necessary. With that self-imposed silence came relief from a great deal of stress. Suddenly he began concentrating on football and having fun.

There was no greater example of that than Campbell, a 6-foot-5, 315-pounder, reenacting dance scenes from movies "House Party" and "Stomp the Yard" during a dance-off with members of the West team Wednesday. Obviously free from the frustration with the process his mother indicated he had earlier in the week, he once again was comfortable with his choice.

"I wasn't talking to (family or friends) like that because I just wanted it all to be to myself -- thinking about it myself and go through it all by myself and make the right decision for me," Campbell said. "Staying close to home was for me -- going back home. I was really thinking about those (other) schools, and it just came down to Michigan."

Cass Tech coach Thomas Wilcher was among the few who believed all along Campbell would opt for U-M. The close relationship with his family played a significant role. So, too, did the continued presence of all of the factors that convinced him to go to U-M in the first place.

"I always knew where Will's heart was really at," said Wilcher, who served as the East team's offensive line coach. "I think Will really loved the way (Michigan) treated him -- the welcomes he always had when he went there. Really, to tell you the honest-to-God truth, that's the school that Will really wanted to go to.

"When I first told Will (after his sophomore year) he had a chance to go to Michigan, he said, 'I don't know if I want to go there.' When he got ready to commit to Michigan (the first time), I said, 'Will, do you really want to go to Michigan?' He said, 'Hey coach you know what, I'm going there regardless of what goes on. This is where I want to be at really.' "

Added Campbell, "Michigan ... is a great school. They've got it all the good things -- education ... and a great football program. Tradition is everything."

According to Wilcher, Campbell could be the catalyst for re-igniting a tradition that hadn't been followed the last two years. When Muskegon's Ronald Johnson committed to USC in 2007 and Detroit King's Nick Perry followed suit in 2008, many believed the departure of the state's No. 1 prospect would become a common occurrence. Wilcher hopes Campbell's commitment reverses that trend.

"I just think that Michigan is a good fit for Will because for once, we get a chance to keep our No. 1 player at home and number two, we get a chance to grow and blossom," Wilcher said.

"We are going to see our No. 1 player in the state really have an opportunity shine. A lot of people are starting to stay at home with their best kids. I think we just got to keep it going. Whether we have one kid go to Michigan, two kids, three kids, it is just time for us to start keeping our kids at home."

With Campbell, Michigan satisfies a number of needs. He generates even more momentum for a recruiting class that recently added All-American tackle prospect Taylor Lewan. The commitment silences uninformed critics of U-M's in-state recruiting, and the Wolverines gain much-needed talent and versatility along the line.

"I think Will's going to have the opportunity to play offense and defense in college," Wilcher said. "I think Will is going to be an all-around player. The most important thing is that Will is going to make a contribution to the team early, and he is going to make an impact."

With Rich Rodriguez they'll probably switch him from defensive tackle to punter....that makes sense

ya they switch him form a brutal position to a pussy position!