HE'S BACK: USC-commit returns to Katy, now in Tiger Red

Brandon Campbell is heading back home to Katy.

The four-star running back grew up in Katy, playing for Mayde Creek High School as a freshman then to Katy Taylor High School as a sophomore. He then transferred to play at Pearland as a junior, moved in to Lamar Consolidated High School six months ago and has now enrolled at Katy High School.

"I've been raised in Katy since the second grade," he said. "It's really my mom. This move gets us closer to my mom's job. I'll be graduating early and this will also get me prepared for college."

The 5-foot-10, 190-pound back was a first-team, all-district selection for the Oilers and racked up over 1,100 yards of total offense in 2019.

"Playing at Pearland really go me out of my comfort zone," he said. "I grew as a player and a person. I played against different people having grown up in Katy. It was a great experience."

He committed to USC over the weekend, passing on the likes of LSU, Alabama, Florida, TCU and Penn State.

"I'm working on getting mentally and physically ready for college," he said. "I'd love to get to USC in January and compete for the starting spot as a freshman."

"I really love the coaching staff with Coach (Clay) Helton and Coach (Mike) Jenks," he said. "But you can't really choose a school by the coaching staff. Coaches move around. I chose a school for need. USC has a need at running back in the future and I want to be that guy. I don't think that will change."

Campbell comes from an athletically-rich family. His dad Kevin Campbell played basketball for Converse Judson and then the University of Virginia, while his mom ran track at UTSA. His uncle on his mom's side is Rogerick Green, who played DB in the NFL for four years.

"If feel like I'm truly an every-down back," he said. "Some backs can run or catch or block. I pride myself on being versatile and doing everything well. I really like to watch Saquan Barkley, Alvin Kamara and Christian McCaffrey on film. I like to break down their games and see how they carry themselves on and off the field. They have great character and that plays into what type of football player you are."

For now, Campbell hopes to be the next in a line of talented Katy running back. However, he will have to face his old buddies at Taylor during the season.

"My goal as a senior is to become a better leader, contribute and be the best player I can be," he said. "Sure, I'm still friends with the guys at Taylor. We grew up together. We've all been playing against each other in this district going back to youth football. It will be fun. We are all just down the street from each other and no one is scared of anyone."