Love at first snap: How Western Hills’ Javeon Campbell became state’s top football recruit

A smile broadens across the face of Western Hills’ Javeon Campbell when he’s asked when he knew he’d made the right decision to start playing football again as a high school junior last year.

“First game, first snap. I got a sack,” he said. “Yeah, I feel good about it.”

A year later, Campbell, a 6-foot-5, 265-pound defensive end, has gone from an almost complete unknown in football circles to a four-star Kentucky commit who turned down offers from the likes of Alabama and Georgia after a whirlwind courtship by some of the nation’s top programs.

Campbell is rated the No. 1 college recruit in Kentucky by a number of services and ranks just outside the top 100 players in the nation, according to 247Sports.com. He racked up 12.5 sacks as a rookie for the Wolverines in Class 4A and had three tackles for a loss.

“After playing my first couple of games and just getting sacks and learning the game, I felt really confident in myself,” Campbell said. “I felt like I could get to the next level.”

But Campbell might never have strapped on a football helmet if not for his basketball coach and the new head football coach hired just before the winter break in 2021.

It didn’t take long for football coach Simon Vanderpool to notice Campbell in Western Hills’ hallways.

“He’s very hard to miss,” Vanderpool said, smiling. “We started building a relationship.”

Basketball coach Geoff Cody offered his encouragement immediately even though Campbell has been one of his top scorers and rebounders.

“I wish every one of my guys would play football,” Cody said. “I said, ‘I’ll do whatever I can to help you,’ because it’s not only going to benefit you, it’s going to benefit me.”

As an assistant coach at Great Crossing, Vanderpool had worked with Oryend Fisher, a lanky defensive lineman who committed to West Virginia in 2022. Campbell is almost as tall as Fisher and is listed as at least 30 pounds heavier than the former Warhawk.

“Seeing his size and length … physically, he was much more advanced than Oryend when I first saw Oryend,” Vanderpool said. “I told (Campbell) that I’ve been fortunate to be around a lot of other Division I guys, and I thought he had a shot.”

Campbell didn’t require much convincing, but he hadn’t played football since middle school. He gave it up to focus on basketball, which his parents had advised was the physically safer option.

“I was ready for it, but then he just had to convince my mom,” Campbell said.

With parents Walter and Chevonne Campbell’s blessing, Javeon joined the football team last summer.

“They entrusted us and gave us an opportunity. The rest is history,” Vanderpool said. “I don’t think anyone would have ever imagined he would blow up to be one of the hottest recruits in the country.”

As the highlight film of Campbell’s impressive size, strength and speed got in front of college coaches last winter, offers began rolling in. Minnesota, Purdue, West Virginia and Notre Dame all offered within a week of each other in mid-January. Kentucky and Louisville joined the chorus a few weeks later. In March, the floodgates opened with Miami, Ohio State, Georgia and Alabama and more courting Campbell.

“It couldn’t happen to a better kid or better family because they’re just so humble and great people to be around,” Vanderpool said.

Earlier this summer, Campbell made official visits to Kentucky, Miami, Georgia, Auburn and Alabama. He committed to the Cats on July 2, explaining that “every time I go to Kentucky, it just feels like home.”

Before heading to UK, Campbell intends to finish his basketball career. He’s already the Wolverines’ all-time leading scorer with more than 1,700 points. Milestones of 2,000 career points and 1,000 career rebounds are within reach as is a fourth straight trip to the 11th Region Tournament.

Cody appreciates his power forward’s maturity and perspective about high school. Campbell wasn’t interested in graduating early in order to join UK in the spring semester.

“With all the attention that he’s gotten, he’s just remained Javeon. He’s remained who he is,” Cody said. “And you don’t see a lot of young kids do that.”

Campbell’s decision means basketball fans should get to see Kentucky’s No. 1 football recruit take the court against its No. 1 basketball recruit this winter. Great Crossing and Western Hills are 41st District rivals and will play against each other at least twice.

Like Campbell, Warhawks 6-foot-11 center Malachi Moreno has committed to Kentucky.

Two years ago, with Javeon playing alongside his older brother Walter, the Wolverines pushed Great Crossing to triple overtime in the district finals before losing 78-73. Both Campbells outperformed Moreno that day. Javeon had 14 points and 16 rebounds, Walter, who just completed his freshman year at Roane State, scored 27 points with 25 boards.

“It’s always fun playing (Moreno),” Javeon said. “He’s really good competition. That’s my favorite game in districts.”

But first comes a senior football season in which Campbell hopes to help Western Hills become a contender in Class 4A.

“I feel like this year is going to be great,” Campbell said. “We’re stronger, more athletic and everybody’s dedicated. We really want to show we can play with anybody.”

He knows he won’t sneak up on any of their opponents this time around.

“Now, every time, they’re double teaming and a running back’s waiting for me,” Campbell said. “I have to get through three people.”

He’s looking forward to it.

This story was originally published August 19, 2024 at 4:30 AM.

Jared Peck

Lexington Herald-Leader

859-488-2883

Jared Peck, the Herald-Leader’s Digital Sports Writer, covers high school athletics and has been with the company as a writer and editor for more than 20 years. Support my work with a digital subscription