Former Indiana Kicker Charles Campbell Returns Home to Play Football for Tennessee, Ready to Represent Volunteer State with Pride
Charles Campbell, a former kicker for Indiana University, has returned home to play football for the University of Tennessee. After spending five years competing in the Big Ten, Campbell transferred to Tennessee for his final college season. The 5-foot-9, 181-pound kicker hails from Jackson, Tennessee, and is excited to represent his home state on the football field.
In a recent news conference, Campbell expressed his pride in being able to play for Tennessee, a dream he had since he was a child. Not only does he get to represent his family, but he also joins his sister, who recently enrolled at the university, and his sophomore brother. With deep roots in Tennessee, Campbell is honored to finish his career wearing the orange and white.
Campbell’s addition to the Tennessee roster comes at a crucial time as he replaces the highly regarded kicker Chase McGrath. McGrath’s game-winning field goal against Alabama was a significant moment for the Volunteers, ending the Crimson Tide’s 15-game winning streak. While McGrath boasted an impressive 80.0% success rate on field goals last season, Campbell has proven himself to be a reliable kicker throughout his career.
With a career record of 39-for-51 on field goal attempts and a perfect conversion rate on extra points, Campbell brings consistency to the kicking game. He has also shown his ability to hit long-range field goals, with five successful attempts from 50 yards or longer during his time at Indiana. In fact, he held the Big Ten record for the longest field goal in both the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
The return of punter Jackson Ross and return specialist Dee Williams further bolsters Tennessee’s special teams. Special teams coordinator Mike Ekeler is thrilled about the upcoming season, praising the culture and standards established within the group. The goal is clear—to be the best and never settle for anything less.
In addition to his kicking duties, Campbell is competing with Josh Turbyville and Max Gilbert for kickoff responsibilities. Whether he’s kicking field goals or launching kickoffs, Campbell is eager to make the most of his opportunity with the Volunteers.
Though Campbell’s dream has always been to kick inside Neyland Stadium, his first game for Tennessee will take place on September 2nd at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium, just a two-hour drive from his hometown. With numerous friends and family planning to attend, Campbell is anticipating a special homecoming.
As Campbell prepares for the season ahead, the focus is on representing the Volunteer State with pride and giving his all on the football field. Having returned home to finish his collegiate career, Campbell seeks to make a lasting impact and contribute to Tennessee’s success.
For more information, contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com.
