[2][3] While attending Aliquippa High School, Campbell was a multi-sport star in football, basketball and track.

Academic problems ended his playing career at Pitt and Edinboro, and he was working as a janitor at Pittsburgh International Airport from 2008 to 2009.

California coach John Luckhardt said that Campbell's life experiences had helped him mature and quipped, "One of the things he said was that cleaning toilets at 12 o'clock at night really got his attention.

"[6] Campbell, in turn, has expressed his gratitude to Coach Luckhardt for giving him another chance: "Cal gave me another shot at pursuing my dream, which is to be a success in the NFL.

"[6] Based on his comeback performance in 2010, Campbell was one of only eight Division II players to participate in the 2011 Eastham Energy All-Star Game in Arizona.

[10] In a 2012-week 3 matchup against the [Detroit Lions], in the first quarter, Darius Reynaud caught a punt and threw a Lateral pass to Campbell, who returned the football 65 yards for a touchdown similar to the Music City Miracle.

In 16 games, Campbell made 66 tackles, 3 interceptions, and two forced fumbles, and was named a divisional All-Star.