BUIES CREEK – Stepping foot on the field at Barker-Lane Stadium for the first time as a team in 260 days, Campbell opened its 2020 preseason football camp on Friday morning.
It was a first look at the 2020 Camels, who had not practiced as a team since November 23, 2019, a day before heading to Big South foe Charleston Southern for their 2019 season finale. Following its winter workouts, the Camels lost their spring practice period due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Though not able to practice as a team, Campbell began a multi-phase return to campus action plan on June 15, enabling the majority of the team to safely return to Buies Creek for summer workouts and any rehab/treatment needs for injured student-athletes.
The team took the field in helmets through a noncontact 7:00 a.m. practice session, going through conditioning drills, as well as general offensive and defensive reps.
Beginning his eighth season at the helm, Mike Minter has led the Camels to three consecutive winning seasons, a modern era program first (since 2008). During the team’s historic six game winning streak in 2019, Campbell received top-25 votes for five straight weeks, another program first. CU also improved to 3-3 in conference play in its second Big South season.
Six Camels were named to 2020 Preseason All-Big South teams, while Campbell was picked fourth in the league’s coaches’ poll.
2019 freshman All-American quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams was named 2020 Big South Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. A 2018 first team all-conference wide receiver, Caleb Snead joined Williams on the preseason All-Big South offensive squad.
On the defensive side, returning First Team All-Big South performers Justice Galloway-Velazquez and Darion Slade, as well as 2019 second team all-conference defensive end Brevin Allen were all named to the preseason team.
Tyler McLellan, a 2019 Second Team All-Big South offensive lineman, was also named honorable mention preseason all-conference.
Campbell returns seven starters from both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball in 2020, as well as 57 total letterwinners. CU also welcomes 34 newcomers to the mix.
