Until recently, when Joliet Catholic’s Ian Campbell thought about his future, military service was never really on his radar.
But when Campbell, a senior defensive end/tight end, started getting recruited by the U.S. Naval Academy, he opened his mind to the possibility.
“I never saw myself going to a service academy,” Campbell said. “I didn’t think it was even going to be possible for me. Now I realize that I can do it. The opportunity came fast, I researched it with my parents and we took the opportunity.
“It’s going to be a big change, for sure, but I’m willing to take on the changes. If I work hard, I know it’s going to pay dividends.”
Campbell committed in July to Navy. But before he begins that chapter, he will be one of the key pieces for Joliet Catholic, which comes in at No. 8 in the Daily Southtown’s preseason rankings.
The Hilltoppers, who finished as the Class 5A state runner-up each of the last two seasons, graduated 16 starters from last year’s team.
Joliet Catholic coach Jake Jaworski will count on Campbell to show the newcomers the way.
“Ian leads by example, but he’s also one of those leaders who is not afraid to speak his mind — in a good way,” Jaworski said. “He’s high energy, high motor and he definitely sets the tone for our defense and our whole team, really.”
Campbell finished with 37 tackles and eight sacks last season. This fall, he expects to play both ways frequently after getting a bit of playing time at tight end as a junior.
“We’ve got a lot of guys going both ways and I’m ready to contribute as much as I can, even if I never come out of the game,” Campbell said. “On defense, me and the other guys up front, we’re going to wreak havoc and we’re going to destroy teams.
“We’re going to keep a goal of not letting that ball get past the line of scrimmage.”
Junior linebacker Derrick Pomatto knows he can count on Campbell to spark the defense.
“Having Ian leading our defensive line, there’s nothing like it,” Pomatto said. “He’s one of those guys that plays with a lot of emotion. It’s awesome to watch, and playing behind him, it makes my job so much easier.”
When Campbell moves on to Navy, he will be accomplishing a goal of playing Division I sports.
But if you told him three years ago that he would be playing football for Navy, it’s not only the destination that would have been a surprise. It’s the sport, too.
“I originally wanted to be a baseball player,” Campbell said. “Sophomore year, I ended up making the varsity football roster and it just changed my whole perspective on everything.
“From that point on, I worked every day toward playing college football.”
And now he’s headed somewhere Jaworski believes he will be a perfect fit.
“The football aspect is one thing, but when you look at the bigger picture, I think Ian’s the kind of guy we need serving and defending our country with his work ethic and leadership,” Jaworski said. “I think he’s someone who will really thrive on the discipline, too.”
Senior quarterback Lucas Simulick, who has played football and baseball with Campbell, can believe it, too.
“At first, I didn’t see him as someone who would go to Navy,” Simulick said. “But then he started telling me about it and said it’s what he wanted to do and it made sense. He’s got the toughness.”
And that’s what Campbell hopes to spread to the whole team.
“We were the biggest team last year and now we’re going to be one of the smallest,” Campbell said. “But we’ve got tough guys. I’m going to bring that grit every single day.”
Quick hits
Team: Joliet Catholic
2024 record: 10-4
Offensive leaders: Connor Ahoyt, senior, lineman; Jayden Armstrong, senior, receiver; Anthony Finnegan, senior, running back; Lucas Simulick, senior, quarterback.
Defensive leaders: Ian Campbell, senior, defensive end; Kingston Dunagan, senior, defensive end; Parker Mores, senior, defensive back; Derrick Pomatto, junior, linebacker.
X-factor: Vincent DiNovo, junior, kicker.
