Grant Campbell could sense it during his warmup routine. Something just felt different that day. His legs felt spry. He had more energy. He was more focused.
Campbell was planning to play basketball in college until competing at the 2023 Volunteer Track Classic at the University of Tennessee’s Tom Black Track. Everything changed once Campbell high jumped a personal best 7 feet, 3.25 inches to set a state record.
The senior at Heritage High in Maryville had an official visit scheduled with UT two days later, fortuitous timing for the Vols given how much Campbell’s phone began blowing up once other Division I college recruiters across the country saw his mark.
“It was overwhelming because it was so much at once and I was set on basketball,” Campbell says. “But once I saw all the major programs messaging me, I started thinking maybe this was the right route for me. Maybe track was the path I should take.”
Although he briefly considered his options outside of Tennessee, Campbell had always dreamed of competing for the Vols in athletics. He grew up just a few miles from the campus and attended as many athletic events as possible. His official visit a few days following his breakout meet sealed his decision.
“It didn’t feel real. It was just weird,” Campbell says. “But they told me with the numbers I was jumping without any real training how much my potential was. They saw how much I could bring to the team.”
The 6-foot-7 Campbell has been getting his feet wet this year as a true freshman. He earned his first collegiate win at the Texas A&M Ted Nelson Invitational in January with a jump of 7-foor-1.
“I firmly believe that Grant has the tools and talent to be very successful in this sport,” UT jumps coach Jamaal Barnes says. “He’s also demonstrated the drive and work ethic necessary to take it to the next level. Looking forward to seeing how far he goes for us here at UT.”
Basketball was Campbell’s main sport all throughout his childhood. His parents both played in college at small schools in Oklahoma and Tennessee. He started participating in track just for fun when his friends asked him to start jumping during his sophomore year of high school.
By the time he began reaching the 7-0 mark as a senior, he had already committed to play basketball at Freed-Hardeman University, an NAIA school in Henderson. He sat down with his parents to discuss his future. Although basketball was his first love, Campbell realized track could take him to a Division I school with a higher ceiling for his athletic future.
He called Freed-Hardeman head coach Drew Stutts to deliver the news.
“It was emotional for me because of how much support he already had for me,” Campbell says. “He still supports me to this day, even with track. He follows up and asks how I am doing.”
Campbell’s parents tried to help guide him through the process while letting him make the choice that was best for him.
“They have been the greatest support I’ve had for it because a lot of people had mixed feelings about whether I should play basketball or do track,” Campbell says. “But they were always there for me no matter what I decided.”
Before arriving at UT, Campbell participated in the 2023 USATF U20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon. He placed second to qualify for the U20 Pan American Games in Puerto Rico, where he won the gold medal with a jump of 7-2.25.
“It was like nothing I have really felt before. It was just a crazy moment in my life that happened,” Campbell says. “I was just happy to be there and thought it would be a good experience to have.”
Campbell is hoping for some equally momentous wins while competing for the Vols. He realizes the transition to college will require patience and a lot of learning. But with his full focus now on jumping instead of basketball, he’s ready to embrace all the challenges.
“The competition is a lot different because in high school I was jumping 7-0 and no one else really was up there. Now that I am in college, everyone is jumping the same height,” he says. “So, it’s a little challenging some days. I just have to stay positive and have a really good mental state.”