Clemson appears to be checking a lot of boxes for one of the top defensive linemen in the country. 2025 prospect Isaiah Campbell (6-5, 265) of Snow Hill, NC spent time at Dabo Swinney’s high school camp a few weeks ago, and the event gave Campbell a unique perspective on himself and Clemson.
“It was an experience. I learned more about myself, and I learned more about Clemson and all,” Campbell said. “So, it was a great experience that showed me more about football, more about coaches and stuff at Clemson, more about Clemson overall, and just seeing what Clemson has to offer.”
Reflecting on himself, what exactly did the camp teach the rising junior?
“It was hot out there, so I had to learn about my body a little bit,” Campbell admitted. “So, I had to hydrate, and drink lots of water to hydrate. I was by myself too, having the confidence on myself, going out the field every single day, having that mindset and that ground mindset and have that dog that nobody’s going to stop. Doing your reps 100% all the time. And just having that honesty and that dog kind of solidified that in camp for me.”
Defensive tackles coach Nick Eason also made an impression.
“I love Coach Eason, and I learned how defense should look and how it plays, how Clemson plays and their attack defense, where the defense is not holding up blocks but attacks,” he explained. “And he did drills to incorporate that. And I was there for two days, and I did the drills and everything. And I got taught by Coach Eason, and so I understood and I could see the level of play and what he was talking about. So, I learned more about him. And then also I believe we kind of got to get a better relationship, too, as a player and coach.”
Campbell holds around 20 offers at this point, including Clemson, USC, Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, LSU, Notre Dame, UNC, NC State and Penn State, and hopes to make it to Alabama before the end of the summer. As for the rest, he’s planning to scour his offer list and decide which schools he wants to see.
Campbell also visited Clemson in early April, so it’s pretty obvious the Tigers are going to be in the thick of it with him.
“Well, right now Clemson has great academics. I’m an academic student. I have a 4.28 GPA right now. Great academics,” Campbell said. “And I’ve seen the program that coach Dabo Swinney has put in place for the football students to excel and not to skate by their classes. That’s great academics. Then the great football. And they won national championships in 2016 and 2018, and they won against all of the ACC and SEC teams.”
“They put out great defensive players, they put a lot of guys in the league,” he continued. “You just see the players that they put out, how they’re very quality and how they’re very polished. And that’s what I’m looking at for a school, great academics and the style of play, what kind of style I’m wanting to play. I want to play in an attacking defense where a defender can go and make all the plays, And so, Clemson is really checking some of the boxes for me. And I feel like they’re really high on my board.”
Greene Central went 11-2 this past season before falling to Rocky Mount Nash Central in the playoffs. Campbell had 61 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, two caused fumbles and five sacks last season.
