Jack Campbell
University of Iowa
Linebacker
On Iowa not being ranked in the preseason poll, and if they are using it as motivation to show they still have one of the best defenses in the country:
“We can’t really look at that right now. And we don’t focus on that really, at all. It’s in the media that gets brought up, but we can only control what we do on the practice field. And I feel like if you get caught by the outside noise, you might be able to fall in the trap and have a downward spin. But right now, we are focused on improving every day as a defense and as a team out here on the practice field. And then, as the season progresses, the chips will fall where they’re going to fall. So right now, just having an approach of one-day-at-a-time mentality and not looking too far ahead, because everyone can say that they’re going to be the national champions right now, but we have to go out there and do it.”
On his future as a freshman in high school:
“It’s always been a dream of mine to be able to come here and make an impact for the school. But never in my wildest dreams did I think I would have this stage that I have right now. And that’s all thanks to my teammates and coaches, for putting me in this position and showing up with a great attitude and great effort. I’m really not that special and people need to realize that I show up hungry to work every single day and no matter if I was on the fifth string or the first string, I would approach everything the same way I do right now. It has been such a blessing for me to be here in Iowa City being close to home, being around my family and my friends. I never would have dreamed of that. I always wanted to be a college football player, but I didn’t know at what level or how good.”
On if the other linebackers and himself have the potential to be the best in Big Ten:
“Hopefully at the end of the season, we can look back and be like, statistically, or however that gets measured. It’s been awesome to come out on the practice field and be with a fourth-year guy and Jestin Jacobs, and seeing how far he has come. Because I came in with him. So how far me he and him have come together… and then a guy like Seth Benson, he is a year older than us, and being able to go out there and push each other. I feel like what it’s all about right now is how hard we can push each other because that is only going to make us better as we get into the season. And then again, we’ll let the chips fall where they are going to fall. I am super excited to be a part of the linebackers and be around those guys every single day. It makes it so fun for me to walk in the building every day and when you’re having fun I feel like that’s brings out the best in everyone.”
