Every once in a while there will be a comment or a FanPost asking what happened to Caleb Campbell, a seventh-round draft pick in 2008 from Army. Campbell appeared to be set to compete for a spot on the team in the summer of 2008, but a change in Army policy forced him to report for duty. Since then he has been involved in sports by being part of the Army Prep School's football coaching staff at some point and by training to be a bobsledder, but those were really the only things I heard about him since he left the Lions.
Now, we finally have a relevant update on Campbell thanks to the Times Herald-Record.
Former Army safety Caleb Campbell said he's been offered a contract by the Detroit Lions, the team who drafted him in the seventh round in 2008.
Now, it's up to Department of Defense if Campbell, a 2008 West Point graduate, will be allowed to sign the contract and attend rookie mini-camp after the April draft.
Campbell actually worked out with the Lions on Tuesday and performed quite well, which is why he received a contract offer. Whether or not he signs that offer will come down to if he can get a two-month early release from his service. The current rule allows athletes to "pursue their sport two years after their graduation date from West Point," but Campbell would need to be ready to come to the mini-camp in April. Hopefully it all works out this time and Campbell will be able to return to Allen Park to start competing for a spot on the roster next month.
(HT: Philip Zaroo of MLive)