74 Days to Miami football: R-sophomore OL John Campbell

Redshirt sophomore offensive lineman John Campbell played in 11 of the 13 Miami football games during the 2019 season with two starts. Campbell will challenge to be a starter in 2020.

Redshirt sophomore John Campbell is one of the most versatile offensive linemen on the Miami football team. Campell started at right tackle in the 2019 season opener against Florida and left guard in the Independence Bowl loss to Louisiana Tech. Campbell will be in the competition to be a starter on the offensive line in 2020.

If he earns a starting job in 2020, Campbell will likely start at one of the tackle positions opposite Houston graduate transfer Jarrid Williams. Part of the equation on the Miami offensive line depends on the health of senior Navaughn Donaldson. Donaldson was the starting left guard for Miami in 2020.

Donaldson started all 12 regular-season games in 2019. A serious knee injury against Duke in the final regular-season game ended Donaldson’s early. It remains unclear if Donaldson will be ready for the start of the 2020 season. Donaldson’s status could affect the rest of the offensive line.

Campbell and Williams are still the favorites to start at the tackles. Delone Scaife would likely start at left guard with Donaldson out. Corey Gaynor will be the starting center and the other guard spot is wide open. Campbell and Scaife could both start at either guard or tackle giving Miami versatility on the offensive line.

Campbell played four games during his true freshman season in 2018. That allowed him to redshirt. Miami hired Garin Justice during the offseason to replace Butch Barry as the new offensive line coach. Justice is more adept at teaching blocking in the spread offense. Campbell impressed Justice this spring.

Miami only got in four practices before the suspension of all collegiate sports this spring. It proved critical for Campbell to be able to show Justice and new offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee he can be one of the most reliable offensive linemen Miami has in 2020. It is tough to project what the Miami offensive line will be in 2020.

Williams played primarily right tackle at Houston. Miami is desperate for stability at left tackle. Freshman Zion Nelson started all 13 games there last season but was often ineffective. Miami could choose to move Campbell inside and start Scaife at tackle where he is the more experienced one at the position.

Campbell has positioned himself to be a starter somewhere on the Miami offensive line in 2020. The development Campbell has made during his two seasons on the Miami football roster is impressive. After signing as a three-star player in 2018, Campbell is positioned to become a three-year starter.