CFC 100 verbally commits to NCAA team

CFC 100 offensive lineman verbally commits to NCAA Division 1’s William and Mary Tribe

After months of receiving offers and contemplating his gridiron and academic future, CFC 100 Graydon Campbell has made a decision.

Recently, the 6’3, 270 pound offensive lineman from Greely, Ontario verbally committed to NCAA Division 1’s William and Mary Tribe.  Since receiving his first offer back on March 8th from the Elon Phoenix, Campbell received numerous others including University of Marshall Thundering Herd, Bucknell Bison, James Madison University Dukes, Old Dominion Monarchs, Monmouth Hawks, Liberty Flames and Buffalo Bulls.

However, Campbell has found his new home with the Tribe.

“When it came to my commitment, I was looking at a few different schools, specifically Princeton, Elon, Bucknell, and Harvard on top of William and Mary,” reflected the CFC 100 offensive lineman of his recruitment process.  “I felt that ultimately my education was inherently important but to be able to walk out of college without debts, or having paid anything at all would truly make it easier on my parents and to a lesser extent myself.”

“William and Mary is one of the best schools in the US and the fact that I could go there for practically free, well it’s hard to turn down.”

During the second week of training camp with his high school team, Episcopal Maroon in Alexandra, Virginia is when Campbell made his final decision.

“I was sitting in my dorm room on the phone with my mom going through all the pros and cons as I truly thought about what I wanted for the next four years and what would set me up for the rest of my life,” recalled the CFC 100 standout.  “Aside from the academics and the athletics, William and Mary felt like a home for me.”

“It is a small place in a small town out in the middle of Virginia.”

Ultimately, Campbell looks forward to working with the coaching staff and becoming part of the Tribe community.

“The head coach, Jimmye Laycock has been there for decades; I continue to meet alumni around Alexandria who have all been coached by him,” said Campbell.  “The William and Mary Offensive Line Coach, Bob Solderitch is an awesome guy who has had his own tenure with the Tribe that makes me excited to play for that man in whatever capacity I can.”

“My recruiting coach, Winston October, is such an energetic person and he brings a lot of personality. I really enjoyed being recruited by him, and he made my visit one of best I’ve been on. All in all, the school had these intangibles that just drew me in and I’m really excited to be suiting up in the Gold and Green next year.”

Graydon Campbell

During his career with the Maroon, he has been selected as an All-Conference and All-State Lineman. The offensive lineman has also suited up for the St. Mark Lions of the National Capital Secondary School Athletic Association (NCSSAA) and the South Gloucester Raiders of the National Capital Amateur Football Association (NCAFA).

Once he did make his decision, the CFC 100 offensive lineman felt a sense of relief.

“I would say the relief was huge when I finally told Coach October “I’m accepting your scholarship offer”,” commented the Ontario standout.  “It was a great feeling because as I said I made the decision in training camp and once I’d committed it was all business heading into the season.”
“Part of my relief is I could finally take a step out of the spotlight, as funny as that sounds, I felt it was time for me to push my line mates and my other brothers on the team; get them to where I was.”

Soon after his commitment, Campbell shifted his focus to his final season with the Maroon but also beginning to prepare for his next gridiron chapter.

“I haven’t given a lot of thought to next year,” explained the CFC 100 offensive lineman.  “It’s so far away and I like to live day by day especially in football because that’s all your worth sometimes; you’re only worth each day and if you have enough good days then maybe you’re worth something.”

“I can say that everything I’m doing right now for this season will prepare me for next year too because it’s all about getting the fundamentals down and continuing to play tough.”

Overall, the Ontario standout hopes to make an impact early in his NCAA career and will look to seize, yet capitalize on each and every opportunity with the Tribe.

“I hope that I can begin to contribute to the team within my freshman or sophomore year, whether it’s sparingly or as a starter,” explained Campbell.  “I know that their current center is a senior and I want to come in and compete for that spot immediately.”

“However, I’m just excited at the possibilities that the Tribe offer for me and I’ll take full advantage of whatever opportunity I’m given from day one.”

With the realization of his gridiron dream, it is not lost on the CFC 100 offensive lineman of the many individuals who have been key sources of support and motivation throughout his career.

“When it comes down to thanking people, immediately I look to my parents,” expressed Campbell.  “They invested hours of their lives and countless amounts of dollars in support of this endeavour and there is no way I can truly pay them back.”

“They would sacrifice their rest, money, and lives to get me to camps and visits and I would be nowhere without that undying support. I love them both and cannot say thank you enough times to even truly fathom their efforts. I also want to thank my coaches, Victor Tedondo, without him I would never have come to Virginia or even developed the work ethic, toughness and ability that makes me the player I am. Additionally, my coaches here at EHS have been amazing. All of them have pushed me every day and tried to break me, put weight on my shoulders and have expected the best out of me and I’m so thankful to them for what they’ve done. There are so many others to thank but I know that they know who they are. They shared in this amazing moment in my life and I’m eternally glad that all of these people are a part of my life.”

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