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Campbell Brings a ‘Calming Influence’ to Young Receiving Corps

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MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – George Campbell is unlike any other receiver on WVU’s roster.

For starters, he is the only senior of the entire group. T.J. Simmons is a redshirt junior, but otherwise, all the other receivers are underclassmen.

Campbell started his college career as a highly-rated recruit at Florida State, but a series of injuries limited his playing time with the Seminoles. Campbell came to West Virginia this season as a graduate transfer and has made improvements like head coach Neal Brown has never seen before.

“George has made as much improvement at the receiver position from July until now as anybody I’ve ever coached,” Brown said. “I can’t say enough about him or what he’s added to our program.”

Campbell has helped solidify a receiving corps for the Mountaineers that had been marred by injuries and inexperience early on this season.

“We’ve come a long way (at wide receiver), we’re starting to play really quality football there,” Brown said. “George Campbell’s been a really strong calming influence. His evolution here during the season has kind of mirrored that entire room, gone from a weakness to a strength, he’s been great. If you look at the (graduate) transfers that we took, they’ve not only been really, really productive for us on the field, they’ve been huge assets in the locker room.”

Sophomore receiver Isaiah Esdale said that Campbell has taught him to keep moving forward, even if something bad happens.

“Whatever happens, just keep moving, next play. If something bad happens, next play,” Esdale said. “He helps me more mentally than anything. He’s a cool guy, he’s really chill. I like him being my teammate, he helps out a lot.”

The 6-foot-4 Campbell started his tenure at WVU strong, scoring touchdowns in each of the Mountaineers’ first three games, but went silent shortly thereafter. After totaling only seven yards on one catch in the team’s next four games, Campbell has made 11 receptions for 270 yards and three scores in the team’s three most recent contests.

Co-offensive coordinator Matt Morre said Campbell’s injury-free season has allowed him to flourish on and off the field.

“That kid’s dealt with a lot of injury in his career and this is really the first time he’s had a full offseason and season to continually get reps and get better,” Moore said. “In that room, he’s a great kid and overall happy person and works really hard. He’s a real joy to be around. I think he brings a lot of positivity to our offense and to that receiving room.”

Campbell is third on the team in receiving yards this season with 377 and his six touchdowns are the most on the team and tied for fifth-most in the conference.

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