‘Complete 180’: The ultimatum that changed Ty’Keylan Campbell’s career

Blue Ridge’s Ty’Keylan Campbell has turned things around both on the field and off. He’ll suit up as a starting cornerback for the Tigers in 2023.

Ty’Keylan Campbell remembers the day down to every last detail. How could he not?

What Campbell—then-freshman cornerback for Blue Ridge—thought would be a normal off-season lift with teammates quickly took a turn for much worse.

Campbell had been struggling in the classroom and behaviorally at school. He’d already been sternly spoken to by head coach John Boggs several times. The issues didn’t subside, and on that day, the situation reached a boiling point.

When he saw Boggs burst into the weight room, Campbell could tell Boggs was upset. He recognized the “angry” look in his eyes.

Boggs had just spoken with one of Campbell’s teachers about his grades, which weren’t ideal. He knew Campbell needed a fire lit in himself.

In front of Campbell’s teammates, Boggs gave his young cornerback an ultimatum.

“He came up to me and in front of everybody, he told me I had two choices,” Campbell said. “He said I could either go to tutoring, or I could go home and not be a part of the team anymore.”

Campbell’s grades weren’t nearly where they needed to be, he’s the first to admit.

“I mean, honestly, I might as well have been failing everything,” he said. “I’m pretty sure most of my grades were F’s at that point.”

The tension had been building between Boggs and Campbell for a while. Boggs recognized the immense potential for Campbell as both a player and person. He just feared Campbell didn’t see it in himself.

“I worried he was lost,” said Boggs. “He wasn’t doing what we asked him to do in the weight room. He wasn’t doing what he was supposed to be doing in class. He was getting into trouble with different teachers, getting into trouble at home. There were a lot of behavioral issues, honestly.”

“He had to figure some things out. He clearly wasn’t hearing anything I was trying to tell him, so I told him he needed to leave.”

Campbell admits he felt a little embarrassed by the scolding from Boggs in front of his teammates. Boggs remembered the “shocked” look on Campbell’s face.

Campbell also admits, however, that it was exactly what he needed.

“I got dressed after that and went straight to tutoring,” said Campbell. “Yeah, I was kind of embarrassed. But at the same time, I realized what I was doing wasn’t right. I should’ve been more accountable.”

Now, over a year later, Campbell can hardly recognize the old version of himself. He’s become more disciplined and stronger in the weight room. His attitude in the classroom has done a complete shift; he’s eager to learn and be taught. Campbell still seeks out tutoring when he feels it’s necessary.

“I’ve started being more open minded to getting help in school,” he said. “Especially with English, because that’s my hardest subject. Normally, I wouldn’t like doing that.”

Campbell’s new mindset on his studies turned tangible at the end of last school year. During his freshman year, there were failing grades scattered throughout his report card. On the last day of his sophomore year, he received another one.

This time, Campbell’s report card contained no grade lower than a C.

“In 30 years of coaching, I don’t know if I’ve ever seen anyone make as drastic a turnaround as he has,” said Boggs of Campbell. “He’s grown up so much. He’s done a complete 180 in the classroom. He’s one of the hardest workers in the weight room and tries to show the younger guys how to do things the right way. He’s become one of our leaders.

“So many kids slip through the cracks or choose to do their own thing instead of straightening themselves out. I’m extremely proud of him.”

Just like in every other area of his young life, Campbell has made significant strides on the field, as well. Strides so significant, Boggs said, that Campbell will receive increased playing time in 2023.

Under the lights this fall, Campbell will take the field for the first time as one of the Tigers’ starting cornerbacks.

He’s set a statistical goal for himself, too. It’s lofty, but admirable. Campbell hopes to allow not a single pass completion in his direction all season.

“It won’t be easy, but that’s my goal,” he said.

Campbell—who also plays basketball for the Tigers and is a region-champion hurdler—said he hopes to use his prior shortcomings to inspire his younger teammates.

“I’m trying to become even more of a leader,” Campbell said. “I want to use my past and my history as a good way to motivate the younger ones on the team.”