Kentucky and Mark Stoops secured a commitment from the top-rated recruit in the Bluegrass State Tuesday when defensive end Javeon Campbell announced his intention to play for the Wildcats.
Campbell, a native of Frankfort, Ky., who plays for Western Hills High School, chose to remain in state over offers from Alabama, Auburn and Miami. He announced his commitment in a live-stream video on 247Sports’ YouTube channel with host Allen Trieu.
A four-star recruit, Campbell is ranked the No. 14 defensive lineman in the nation by On3. 247Sports lists him as the 109th overall recruit in the nation.
At 6-foot-5, 265 pounds, Campbell is the 15th member of Kentucky’s 2025 recruiting class. A gifted basketball player, Campbell did not play football until his junior year at Western Hills when he had 14.5 sacks.
Trieu, a recruiting analyst for 247Sports, wrote of Campbell:
Junior year was first of playing high school football but adjusted quickly and was frequently making plays in the backfield. Basketball background shows up in his athleticism and movement. Has good quickness off the snap and closing speed, especially at his size. Has the frame to still grow further. Could ultimately line up almost anywhere along the defensive line and in a variety of schemes and fronts. Currently is more of an edge-rusher, but could kick inside at times and play end in an odd front also. Physical for how new he is to the game. Still has work to do technically and with his hands, but he should continue to pick up the nuances of the position and all the physical tools are there.
Campbell is one of four four-star recruits to announce a verbal pledge to Kentucky from the class of 2025. He joins defensive back Martels Carter Jr. (Paducah Tilghman High School, Ky.), wide receiver Quintin Simmons Jr. (Withrow High School, Cincinnati), and EDGE Cedric Works (Northmont High School, Clayton, Ohio).
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— Javeon Campbell (@JaveonCampbell) July 2, 2024