Derek Campbell
Manhattan High School (KS)
6’0″ 175 pounds
Running Back
Status: Undecided
Scouts, Inc. Grade: 74
On the Trail
Scouts, Inc. Evaluation
Campbell is a good sized running back with promising upside as a future college load-back. A bit lean now and lacks great size and power through his hips and lower-body but has the frame to play at over 200-pounds and develop into a good slashing type of runner. We like how this guy is constantly getting north/positive yards even when cutting laterally. Knows when to coil up and lower the shoulder; difficult for smaller defensive backs to arm-tackle high when his wiry but deceptively strong frame generates good speed through the second level. Shows he can stretch it outside with better-than-adequate lateral quicks and footwork to elude initial penetration; shows good patience. Flashes a sneaky extra gear when he gets outside and turns the corner and good top-end speed. However, we feel he projects more as a downhill runner than a pick and slide zone guy and have some concerns about running leverage and marginal power. Shows some suddenness through the line but lacks great burst and explosiveness out of his downhill cuts. Tackled frequently on first contact and tends to get chopped down low. Really has a narrow base and could struggle to add the required size and power through his lower-body to carry the load and remain durable and consistent with in-line yards after contact at the major college level. Looks smooth, fluid gliding through traffic but we would like to see him take an extra cut more consistently to break the long run and question his movement skills (hips) and vision at times in the openfield. That said, we still feel Campbell could grow into a solid, every-down back at the next level if his body can continue to physically develop. Potentially a well-rounded back with good inside and outside production. A good athlete who could also get a look at safety where he has very good measurables.
