Miami’s 17th transfer, 320-pound LT John Campbell Jr., enters portal seeking sixth year
Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman John Campbell Sr. persevered through his share of painful times at the University of Miami, ending up a valuable starting left tackle to fill in for a vaunted lineman whose injury problems kept him on the bench.
Now, the 6-5, 320-pound fifth-year junior Campbell is seeking a sixth year of college football at another university.
Campbell announced Wednesday that he is entering the NCAA transfer portal, becoming the 17th Hurricanes player to announce that he is entering the portal. He came to UM from Orlando Dr. Phillips High in 2018 as the nation’s 19th best lineman, according to Rivals.com. He is the first UM offensive lineman to enter the portal, though former UM high school commit Connor Lew flipped his allegiance on Tuesday night to Auburn.
“First and foremost, I would like to thank the man above for getting me to this point in life, and being able to play in my state in front of my friends and family,’’ Campbell posted on Twitter. “I am more than grateful for the times at Miami, and the relationships I built over the years. They will be unforgettable. I want to thank everyone in the Miami program for everything they’ve done up to this point for helping me. From the coaching staff, strength staff, all the way down to the athletic trainers.
“Shoutout to Joe Giradi, Dr. Kaplan, Tim Pike, Auntie Allison, Max, Abbey and Dillion! I wouldn’t be in this position without them!
“With that being said, I would like to officially announce that I have officially entered the NCAA transfer portal...’’
Campbell started 11 of his 12 games in 2022 at left tackle after missing all of the 2021 season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament sustained just before that season’s fall camp began. Former projected first-round draft pick Zion Nelson, who was supposed to start at left tackle, took a long time to recuperate from arthroscopic knee surgery, then had “a setback’’ which kept Campbell at left tackle.
“I’ll do whatever Coach wants me to do,’’ Campbell said before the season. “... I’m pretty good. I know this game pretty well. [Offensive line] coach [Alex] Mirabal does a great job in the film room giving the guys knowledge and teaching us ins and outs of plays and schemes and where to be and what to do.
“You never know what the future looks like. I’m just trying to put my best foot forward and do what’s best for my team and best for myself.’’
Before Campbell, true freshman cornerback Khamauri Rogers became the 16th player to enter the portal on Tuesday. Brian Balom was the seventh UM defensive back (fourth safety) to enter the portal. The others: Gilbert Frierson, Keshawn Washington, Al Blades Jr., Jalen Harrell, Avantae Williams and Isaiah Dunson. Washington, Harrell and Williams were also safeties, and Blades was trained primarily as a cornerback.
Eight others have entered the portal. They are, on defense: end Elijah Roberts, and tackles Allan Haye, Darrell Jackson and Jordan Miller.
The departed Hurricanes on offense: running backs Thad Franklin and Jaylan Knighton, and receivers Key’Shawn Smith and Romello Brinson.
This story was originally published December 14, 2022 at 10:12 AM.
