|
Only have a minute? Listen instead
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
EDINBURG — Chase Campbell’s dream of playing college football began while playing running back during his Pop Warner days.
After moving behind center and spending four years at quarterback for the Edinburg Vela SaberCats, his dream has officially become reality. Campbell signed a national letter of intent to play college football at Arkansas State on Tuesday at Edinburg Vela High School with his family, friends and coaches by his side.
“I’m completely grateful for it and ready to take the next step in my journey,” he said.
Arkansas State is an NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision school competing in the Sun Belt Conference.
“Division I — it’s a whole different animal. What excites me the most is to go in there and compete, try to win the starting spot within the four years, and the second game is against Ohio State,” Campbell said, referring to the Red Wolves’ nonconference matchup versus the Buckeyes on Sept. 10 in Columbus, Ohio.
Campbell helped Vela post a 12-1 overall record and win the District 31-6A championship for a second consecutive year with an 8-0 mark during his senior season. He completed 116-of-187 passes for 1,694 yards and 23 touchdowns to just six interceptions, earning the district’s co-offensive most valuable player honor. Campbell finished his career with 2,010 passing yards and 27 touchdowns.
“It’s been memorable, for sure. We’ve created bonds on-and-off the field,” he said. “It was a good four years all around, so I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
Edinburg Vela head coach John Campbell, no relation, said Arkansas State is getting a competitor with tremendous arm talent, in addition to being a good student in the classroom.
“He’s got an opportunity to go and chase his dream which is to play Division I football. We’re extremely excited for him, we’re proud of him, but at the same time, this is where the real work begins,” Coach Campbell said. “We enjoy this moment, we sit back and shake hands with everybody, give hugs and stuff like that, but the grind begins now. We’re very, very excited and proud of him and now we expect him to continue and do the same things he did for us, which is represent us so positively.”
