Michael Campanaro has been auditioning at high school football combines all over the country this summer, and he feels comfortable. Nike noticed.
Campanaro, a defensive back at River Hill High in Clarksville, joined Dunbar’s Tavon Austin and 22 other athletes from around the country as Nike Underclassmen All-Americans, Rivals.com announced last week.
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“I was real excited when I found out,” Campanaro said. “Only 24 kids in the whole nation got selected, so it’s a good feeling.”
While leading River Hill through an undefeated regular season, Campanaro recorded 66 tackles and three interceptions and was one of the state?s best defenders in single coverage.
But Campanaro was even more impressive as a running back. He rushed for 1,044 yards and 7 touchdowns on 120 carries, and caught 26 passes for 601 yards and 8 touchdowns.
“I look at myself more as an athlete,” Campanaro said. “That’s what I went into these combines trying to prove.”
Campanaro will be in Pasadena, Calif., next week to take part in his sixth combine, where he’ll try to garner more attention from college coaches.
Already looking at Maryland, Illinois, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Notre Dame, Northwestern and Clemson, Campanaro has plenty of time to make his decision.
“Right now, I’m just trying to get a feel for all the different colleges and get into the right spot,” he said.
Austin was a key component to the Poets’ run to the Maryland 1A title last fall. He recorded 31 touchdowns, including 27 rushing, en route to 1,701 yards from scrimmage. The sophomore ran for two touchdowns and caught one in the state title game to lift Dunbar (11-3) to its second state title in three years with a 38-23 win over Fort Hill.
Campanaro had no such luck.
After River Hill opened its season 13-0, the Hawks suffered a 37-18 loss to undefeated Friendly from Prince George?s County in the Maryland 3A final.
