Notre Dame Target Javeon Campbell Brings Unbelievable Upside To The Table
The Notre Dame coaching staff has been traveling all over the country in recent weeks during the open period. One stop that was made was to Frankfurt (Ky.) Western Hills, which is the home of fast rising 2025 defensive end Javeon Campbell. The talented defender was offered during that trip, adding to his expanding offer list over the last two months.
It was Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden that made the trip to the school to check in on Campbell.
When you pop on the film, you are left impressed by Campbell’s combination of size, length and overall athleticism. He clearly brings plenty of upside to the table. Then you get to learn a little bit more about Campbell’s experience, or lack thereof, that really puts his upside into perspective. Campbell’s head coach at Western Hills, Simon Vanderpool, gave Irish Breakdown some insight into his unique backstory and just how special Campbell can become.
"This was my first year as a head coach here,” Coach Vanderpool said. "Before that, I was a defensive coordinator at a school in a neighboring county. Javeon came out, it was his first year playing high school football. Before that, he was focusing on basketball but you could just see how special he is. He’s so physical, so competitive and such a good athlete.
"He could do anything you would want on the film,” he continued. "Javeon is an incredible combination of size, length and athleticism. He could play a five technique, do things you would want outside. I could also see him fitting in inside as he fills out. His upside is impressive.”
It is almost mind blowing to believe that 2023 was Campbell’s first year of high school football. There is reason to believe that he could take a massive jump as a senior, which could be special. Perhaps the most exciting part about Campbell is the humbleness he carries himself with. This is a special young man on top of his skills on the field.
"Javeon is just an impressive kid,” Vanderpool explained. "He is really unbelievable. You would think a kid getting the attention he does would kind of make him act different but it hasn’t. He’s still the same kid he always has been.
"He is kind of an old school kid,” Vanderpool added. "Javeon just likes to compete. He doesn’t fall for the flash. For him, it’s all about playing the game and doing whatever he can for the team.”
According to Vanderpool, Campbell’s family is a big reason why the talented defensive lineman is so well grounded. They are a humble bunch who don’t care much for all the attention.
"I like to tell this story,” he said. "Javeon is a big time basketball player as well. I think he’s averaging like 19.5 points per game and 11 rebounds. When there are games, his family all sit in the top left corner by themselves. They don’t want to be the center of attention. He’s a low key and hardworking kid, and it comes from his family.”
The relationship between Notre Dame and Campbell is escalating quickly, with the talented defender making the trip to South Bend last week. It’s uncertain where it goes from here but one thing is certain, they have clearly identified a toolsy defensive lineman who hose upside is through the roof.
When you talk about fast risers, there isn’t a defensive lineman in the 2025 recruiting class that fits that billing more than Campbell. He is currently only ranked by 247Sports, currently sitting as a three-recruit and ranked as the No. 42 edge defender in the 2025 recruiting class. Obviously his offer list tells a different story, holding offers from the Irish, Kentucky, Michigan State, Louisville, Minnesota, West Virginia, Purdue, Cincinnati and Vanderbilt among others.
Despite it being just his first year playing high school football, Campbell was absolutely dominant as a junior. In just eight games, he recorded 14.5 sacks for Western Hills. Campbell was selected as a First Team All-District selection.
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