With National Signing Day right around the corner, several of the nation’s top prospects are nearing final decisions in advance of officially signing their letters-of-intent on Wednesday.
Today, experts from the Rivals.com network examine where five-star Plantation (Fla.) American Heritage defensive back Tyson Campbell will end up playing his college football in advance of his Signing Day announcement. The candidates are Alabama, Georgia and Miami.
MAKING THE CASE: Olaijah Griffin | Nick Petit-Frere | Patrick Surtain | Justyn Ross | Ja'Marr Chase
CLASS OF '18 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | State | Position | JUCO
THE SITUATION
The prototypical cornerback prospect, Campbell has the size, speed and playmaking abilities that schools from around the country covet. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the two teams that played for this year’s national championship are squarely in the mix.
Over the past month, Campbell’s recruitment has heated up, with Georgia, Alabama, Miami and Tennessee all receiving official visits. Campbell wrapped up his trip at Miami last weekend, and it’s anybody’s guess as to where he will end up come Wednesday. But with the wealth of knowledge in the Rivals.com network, we are ready to make a call. We asked our team experts to state the case for their respective programs and let National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell issue a verdict.
THE CASE FOR ALABAMA
"Campbell has been recruited by Alabama for a very long time. He was considered one of the Tide's top defensive back targets before he became a five-star. He has a great official visit to Alabama a few weeks ago. Many believe Georgia is the favorite to land his signature. The Bulldogs are the frontrunner, but Alabama is a dark horse. Campbell understands Alabama will lose its top six defensive backs from the national championship team. Playing time is available in Tuscaloosa. Campbell took an official visit to Miami last weekend, but he will play in the SEC." – Andrew Bone, BamaInsider.com
THE CASE FOR GEORGIA
“Georgia's courting of Campbell has been a drawn-out process considering the Bulldogs got their other five-stars inked during the early period. That's afforded Georgia a unique opportunity, however, as coaches have been able to zero in on Campbell with a focus usually divided amongst many recruits. After Campbell's stellar Army All-American week, the push became even more heightened, and coaches have spent much time in Plantation as a result. Given that and Georgia's need at the position for a young, lengthy, and potentially immediate contributor at defensive back, we like the American Heritage-to-Athens connection to happen once again.” – Jake Reuse, UGASports.com
THE CASE FOR MIAMI
“Throughout the entire recruiting process, Miami has tried to hang in there with Campbell. American Heritage is a South Florida school where the Hurricanes have struggled to gain traction in recent years. Sources have told us there has been a lingering resentment there because Miami had chosen athletes from other schools or out of town over borderline Heritage recruits in the past.
"Some headway has been made. Miami landed Kai Leon Herbert last year and is expected to sign DT Nesta Silvera from Heritage this year. But Campbell and his cornerback teammate Pat Surtain have been more elusive for the Hurricanes. Yet you can't count Miami totally out of the Campbell sweepstakes until he signs on Wednesday. Miami has demonstrated its rise as a program and has done a high-quality job of recruiting Campbell, who decided to visit Miami on the final weekend. The Hurricanes definitely have given it a five-star effort.” – Gary Ferman, CaneSport.com
