Johns Hopkins University Athletics

A leader on three straight Centennial Conference Championship teams for head coach Jim Margraff, Matt Campbell concluded his career in 2004 as one of the most decorated defensive players in Johns Hopkins football history.

Campbell arrived at Johns Hopkins in 2001 and quickly become a fixture at safety for the Blue Jays; he went on to set a then school record by starting the final 40 games of his career. He led the team to a 34-8 record, Centennial Conference titles as a sophomore, junior and senior and ECAC Championships in each of those years as well. Twice during his career the Blue Jays set records for wins in a season as the 2002 team won nine games (9-2) and the 2003 team produced the first 10-win season in school history (10-1).

The three Centennial titles were the first three in Johns Hopkins football history and the 2002 championship marked the first conference title for the program since 1969. In addition, the three ECAC Championships marked the first post-season appearances in program history.

On a team full of accomplished performers, Campbell’s accolades stand out even among this elite group. He earned First Team All-Centennial Conference honors in each of his final three seasons, was named the Centennial Conference Defensive Player of the Year as a junior and was named an All-American by the Sports Information Directors (1st Team), Associated Press (2nd Team) and D3football.com (3rd Team) that year as well.

More than 15 years after he graduated, Campbell’s name is still prominent in the Johns Hopkins record book. He third second in school history in career interceptions (16) and remains the co-holder of the school single-season record for interceptions (8). In fact, since Campbell graduated only one other Johns Hopkins player has registered more than six interceptions in a season.

Campbell, who finished his career with 256 tackles, spearheaded a secondary that ranked among the nation’s best during his four years. From 2001-04, the Johns Hopkins defense produced 73 interceptions while allowing just 26 touchdown passes in 42 games. The 2001 team, with Campbell starting at safety as a freshman, went through the entire season without allowing a touchdown pass in nine games. He also remains one of just three players at Johns Hopkins in the last 15 years to post 250 or more career tackles.