Now let’s set the scene. cotton bowl. Texas vs. Ohio State University. The Buckeyes D-line of Ryan Day, who had eight sacks in the Rose Bowl, is a big-bodied Oregon native. Yes, No. 8 Heisman finalist. This is devilishly wild. Now, the Longhorns aren’t just firing their quarterback, they’re staring down the barrel of their D-line. I slurp it up for breakfast. If Texas wants to challenge for a championship ring, the offensive line needs to step up, especially DJ Campbell. The 6-foot-3, 330-pound brick wall has played in over 38 games and started 30. There’s a reason Campbell is a finalist for the Joe Moore Award. But there’s a story behind each Texas hero. Let’s get started.
advertisement
Article continues below this ad
Who is DJ Campbell’s mother?
Introducing the rock behind the scenes, Candice Porter. She is more than just a loan advisor. She is literally the backbone of DJ’s journey. Candace raised her son to be very disciplined, humble, and Texas-hungry. And it shows. DJ’s switch from defense to offense wasn’t just a random decision, it was a chess move that Candice helped orchestrate.
You see, DJ has always been a beast on the field since high school, but it was Candace who saw the big picture. It helped him transition from the D-line to the O-line, so his chances of getting into the league (NFL) improved. Talk about vision. These Texas moms don’t play when it comes to their kids’ football careers. She is the type of mother who makes sure her son has a good strategy and keeps his feet on the ground. Don’t be fooled by her title. Loan advisors have some knowledge about investing. She put so much time, energy and belief into DJing, but what now? He is the pride of Texas.
Who is DJ Campbell’s father?
Now let’s talk about OG Renaldo Campbell. He’s a truck driver in Texas by trade, but more importantly, he’s a blueprint for the hard-working DJ. Renaldo has always worked on working hard and staying focused. That’s the energy Renaldo brings, the no-nonsense, blue-collar work ethic that runs deep in the Campbell bloodline.
Renaldo didn’t just preach discipline. he lived it. Driving cross country, driving long distances, and still finding time to show up to your son’s games? It’s an insane level of dedication. And let’s not forget the subtle lessons. Look, obviously watching his father work hard every day gave DJ the edge he needed to dominate this field. It’s not just about lifting weights or doing drills. It’s about the heart. Renaldo understands this perfectly.
Where did DJ Campbell grow up?
advertisement
Article continues below this ad
Arlington, Texas, baby! Home of Friday Night Lights, Big Dreams, and Bigger Athletes. DJs are so-called local heroes. He starred at Arlington Bowie High School, where his uncle Devon Campbell played a big role in his journey. Devon was more than just a family. He was a mentor, a coach and, let’s be honest, someone who asked the tough questions in recruiting.
High school head coach Joseph Sam spoke highly and praised Campbell and his family upon his transfer to the Texas Longhorns in 2022. He is athletic. He’s obviously a big guy and that’s a word I stole from Coach (Kyle) Flood…loves, loves, loves football, he still trains with us and pretty much every spring practice of ours. Participate in everything and just watch. I sometimes see him helping out young O-linemen. The good thing is that he has a good family base: his mother, father and uncle. His uncle played college football, so he’s kind of been going through that process with his uncle. ”
And what about Arlington Bowie? That’s when the magic began. All American. Allstate. This is his third all-district appearance. He wasn’t just a good DJ. He was him. This big man, ranked No. 14 in the nation in 2022, literally weighed around 330 pounds and dunked on a basketball like nothing was happening. Mathematics is not mathematics here. Imagine stopping the D-line on a Saturday afternoon and then dunking for fun on Sunday. That’s exactly what Arlington fosters.
advertisement
Article continues below this ad