Movie Theater: Javeon Campbell – On3

Why Kentucky Will Become a POP in 2024

Every college football program is looking for top-tier defensive line recruits. Kentucky is no different. They can be easier to find when they’re born and raised near campus. But it’s still worth noting. For the second straight cycle, UK has landed a top-250 defensive line prospect from its back yard.

Frankfort (Ky.) Western Hills defensive lineman Javeon Campbell became Cat Tuesday.

The path to the earth Jerome Smith II was different in the 2023 cycle, but it was still a high-impact hire that required a turnaround from Michigan. Landing Campbell a cycle later is the same thing after Vince Marrow recorded a head-to-head victory over Alabama to keep the top-200 prospect at home.

What will Campbell bring to Anwar StewartThe veteran basketball player brings an explosive skill set on a great frame.

Twitchy come down

At 6’4” and 260 pounds, Javeon Campbell has the ideal size right away. The 2025 prospect has a good frame and projects as a 4-3 defensive end or a versatile player in an odd-man defensive line. But size is nothing if you can’t get out of your stance.

Campbell’s greatest strength is his off-the-ball explosion.

It will take some fine-tuning to keep his game hunched over throughout his engagement with blockers, but his tic stands out immediately. Campbell is a versatile athlete with explosive movement skills. That gives this defensive line prospect an exceptional foundation as he enters the prime years of his football career.

Whether running or rushing the passer, Campbell’s explosiveness outside of his position should translate and raise his ceiling as a prospect.

Continue and continue

SEC defensive linemen must be able to get out of their stance and hold their point. But they must also be able to follow through. Once the blocks are overcome, the effort level and athleticism are required to bring down smaller, faster players in space.

Javeon Campbell shows even more athleticism as a pursuit defender.

Campbell has good foot speed on tape and that leads to successful plays in the backfield. The defensive line prospect can close down the field quickly and his range helps him eliminate space for the quarterback. Once penetration is created, Campbell can finish plays behind the line of scrimmage. The ability to pursue and tackle in space shows on tape.

Another top-notch victory

Javeon Campbell becomes Kentucky’s third top-tier high school defensive line recruiting win in the last two cycles, joining Brian Robinson and Jerod Smith II. Both 2024 prospects have shown some explosiveness and the ability to finish plays after beating blocks. Campbell does the same.

It will take some fundamental development at the next level, but Kentucky’s newest player has the size and build to play multiple positions for defensive line coach Anwar Stewart. Campbell will need to show he can hold the point in some of Kentucky’s two-hole running situations, but there’s no denying his playmaking potential. Campbell is big, long and quick, and plays primarily with good protection. All of those traits should translate.

Although he is new to football, Campbell has transferable athleticism that immediately showed during his junior season. As his knowledge of football continues to grow, those raw skills will show up more often. The Kentucky native is a top recruit because of his athletic profile.

The Wildcats just had a big recruiting victory in the trenches.