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University of Minnesota Athletics
More Than Advertised - Senior Terrance Campbell
11/10/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Despite being undersized, the man known as “Stick” by fellow teammates has made his presence felt, starting 28 of his 37 games at the linebacker position. After finishing second on the team in tackles last season, including leading the team in solo stops with 59, Campbell has undoubtedly been one of the Gophers top defensive performers over the last three seasons.
Considering his size these figures would be astonishing, but there is more to Campbell than what meets the eye. “Stick” has been able to overcome his lack of size by utilizing his speed through constant hard work, and he possesses a motor that never quits. “He just does a good job of coming out and working hard every day to reach his full potential,” defensive secondary coach Kerry Cooks stated.
Pound for pound there may not be another player who has accomplished more than the fifth-year senior, but despite what he has done on the field, it may be Campbell’s unselfish attitude that has been his most valuable contribution to this team.
Prior to last season’s Music City Bowl, Campbell was shifted to strong safety, a position more suited to his frame. The change was made to make room for a corps of young linebackers that may potentially carry the defensive unit in coming years. Campbell did not exactly embrace the move at first. “I am still a linebacker at heart,” he commented, but he understood the change was best for the team.
Such selflessness is particularly commendable coming from a man who was a mainstay in the starting lineup for nearly three full seasons, but while he may no longer be filling up the stat sheet as he has in the past, Campbell still warrants recognition. He is a vocal and emotional leader who is willing to sacrifice himself for the good of the team. “You have a guy that runs around and doesn’t care about his body, so he throws himself around out there with emotion and enthusiasm,“ Cooks said. “That emotion spreads, and that is what you want on defense.”
Minnesota’s defensive unit unquestionably feeds off of Campbell’s energy and enthusiasm. Seeing someone accomplish as much as “Stick” has despite being undersized is inspiring, and Campbell knows his teammates rely on him to provide a spark. Campbell knows that spark can often come on special teams, which may explain why kickoffs are his favorite plays.
“I just try to run down there and make a play to get my team more fired up,” Campbell said. He knows that just one play could make the difference in a game, or in a season for that matter.
The Golden Gophers have learned this all too well. Close losses against Michigan each of the last two seasons have left a bitter taste in their mouths. Campbell admits that the defense has had a tough time closing out games, citing the two Michigan games as examples, but he knows the unit is capable of turning that around. “Since I’ve been here we have competed in every game,” Campbell proclaimed. “We just have to finish. We have worked real hard on finishing. We want to finish stronger than how we start.”
Cooks knows his team is skilled enough to do just that, even if critics still claim that they are undersized. “The thing with undersized guys is that you have to have guys that can run, and that’s what we have here,” Cooks said. “If you’ve got heart and you compete, it doesn’t matter what size you are.”
Terrance Campbell has been the poster child of that statement for four years. He certainly has not let his apparent lack of size hold him back, proving that he is capable of putting up big numbers and making a statement along the way.
Though Campbell denies its relevance, the nickname “Stick” has become as attributable to the hits he dishes out as it is to his lean frame. Since his first conference game against Purdue in 2002, the skinny kid from Atlanta has been striking fear in Big Ten opponents with his knack for the big hit. When asked to describe the feeling he gets when putting a good hit on somebody Campbell responded, “I really can’t describe it. I mean, sometimes I even surprise myself.”
Story written by Tory Kukowski, athletic communications student assistant Terrance Campbell has been answering critics since he first stepped foot on the University of Minnesota campus. When the skinny kid from Atlanta arrived here four full seasons ago he did not exactly resemble the prototypical linebacker. Standing at 6-2 and weighing 170 pounds, it seemed that playing linebacker in the physical Big Ten Conference would be a tumultuous task. But he was primed for the challenge.
Despite being undersized, the man known as “Stick” by fellow teammates has made his presence felt, starting 28 of his 37 games at the linebacker position. After finishing second on the team in tackles last season, including leading the team in solo stops with 59, Campbell has undoubtedly been one of the Gophers top defensive performers over the last three seasons.
Considering his size these figures would be astonishing, but there is more to Campbell than what meets the eye. “Stick” has been able to overcome his lack of size by utilizing his speed through constant hard work, and he possesses a motor that never quits. “He just does a good job of coming out and working hard every day to reach his full potential,” defensive secondary coach Kerry Cooks stated.
Pound for pound there may not be another player who has accomplished more than the fifth-year senior, but despite what he has done on the field, it may be Campbell’s unselfish attitude that has been his most valuable contribution to this team.
Prior to last season’s Music City Bowl, Campbell was shifted to strong safety, a position more suited to his frame. The change was made to make room for a corps of young linebackers that may potentially carry the defensive unit in coming years. Campbell did not exactly embrace the move at first. “I am still a linebacker at heart,” he commented, but he understood the change was best for the team.
Such selflessness is particularly commendable coming from a man who was a mainstay in the starting lineup for nearly three full seasons, but while he may no longer be filling up the stat sheet as he has in the past, Campbell still warrants recognition. He is a vocal and emotional leader who is willing to sacrifice himself for the good of the team. “You have a guy that runs around and doesn’t care about his body, so he throws himself around out there with emotion and enthusiasm,“ Cooks said. “That emotion spreads, and that is what you want on defense.”
Minnesota’s defensive unit unquestionably feeds off of Campbell’s energy and enthusiasm. Seeing someone accomplish as much as “Stick” has despite being undersized is inspiring, and Campbell knows his teammates rely on him to provide a spark. Campbell knows that spark can often come on special teams, which may explain why kickoffs are his favorite plays.
“I just try to run down there and make a play to get my team more fired up,” Campbell said. He knows that just one play could make the difference in a game, or in a season for that matter.
The Golden Gophers have learned this all too well. Close losses against Michigan each of the last two seasons have left a bitter taste in their mouths. Campbell admits that the defense has had a tough time closing out games, citing the two Michigan games as examples, but he knows the unit is capable of turning that around. “Since I’ve been here we have competed in every game,” Campbell proclaimed. “We just have to finish. We have worked real hard on finishing. We want to finish stronger than how we start.”
Cooks knows his team is skilled enough to do just that, even if critics still claim that they are undersized. “The thing with undersized guys is that you have to have guys that can run, and that’s what we have here,” Cooks said. “If you’ve got heart and you compete, it doesn’t matter what size you are.”
Terrance Campbell has been the poster child of that statement for four years. He certainly has not let his apparent lack of size hold him back, proving that he is capable of putting up big numbers and making a statement along the way.
Though Campbell denies its relevance, the nickname “Stick” has become as attributable to the hits he dishes out as it is to his lean frame. Since his first conference game against Purdue in 2002, the skinny kid from Atlanta has been striking fear in Big Ten opponents with his knack for the big hit. When asked to describe the feeling he gets when putting a good hit on somebody Campbell responded, “I really can’t describe it. I mean, sometimes I even surprise myself.”
Story written by Tory Kukowski, athletic communications student assistant
