Much of the sting from that disappointing period in his life was taken away last summer when he became a scholarship player for the University of Akron after being a preferred walk-on in 2007.

Another memorable experience is expected to occur this fall for the 2007 North graduate: After being a part-time starter last year, he heads into the season as the team's starting strong safety.

Campbell left for preseason camp last Wednesday.

"(Being a scholarship player) should have happened when I was in high school, so when it happened it was a dream come true," Campbell said. "This year I'm going to play about 95 percent of the defensive snaps. I played pretty well in spring ball."

Campbell has added 20 pounds since high school. At 6-foot, 203 pounds, the junior is learning the team's new defense.

Last season, Campbell played in all 12 of Akron's games and started five at free safety. He finished tied for sixth on the team in tackles with 63.

Although his playing time was sporadic, he started the team's opening 38-17 loss to Wisconsin and had a team-best 18 tackles and a pass breakup.

The Zips, who went 5-7 a year ago, since have switched from a 4-3 to a 3-4 defense.

Also back in the secondary after seeing regular playing time last year are seniors Miguel Graham and Wayne Cobham and junior Jalil Carter. Junior Mike Thomas, a Hartley graduate who spent time last year at strong safety when he was the second-leading tackler (81), has moved to linebacker.

"In spring ball, we put in some of our new plays and in camp (this week) we'll put the rest in," Campbell said. "It was pretty much a personnel thing. We've got a lot of linebackers who are good for the 3-4."

Akron lost two of its first three last year, including a 17-15 loss to Big East champion Cincinnati on Sept. 27.

That loss was the signal of a tough season for the Zips: They also lost close games to Bowling Green (37-33 on Oct. 11 for Homecoming), eventual MAC champion Buffalo (43-40 in four overtimes on Nov. 13) and Ohio University (49-42 on Nov. 22).

"We just didn't finish things off," Campbell said. "During the offseason, all the stuff we did was about finishing. When we lost to Buffalo in four overtimes at home, that kind of took the wind out of our sails. We should have no excuse but to go to the MAC championship game this year."

Campbell hopes to experience his first winning season in five years this fall.

As a sophomore at North in 2004, Campbell saw action at wide receiver for a team that posted a program-best 7-3 record.

Campbell made second-team all-OCC as a junior after having 40 tackles and five interceptions, but the Panthers slipped to 4-6.

In his senior season, Campbell had 62 tackles and two interceptions, was the team's leader in rushing yards with 455 and added 15 catches for 184 yards as North struggled to a 3-7 finish.

After becoming a walk-on at Akron, Campbell played all 12 of the Zips' games as a true freshman in 2007 on special teams. He made the initial block on one of the team's top plays that year, when it returned a free kick 89 yards as time expired to beat Western Michigan 39-38.

Campbell, whose father played football at West Liberty State College and whose brother, Ryan, will be a junior on North's team this fall, believes he is ready to top what he accomplished on defense for the Zips a year ago.

"Tyler was an excellent player up there for us," said former North coach Tim Bahen, who headed the Panthers' program during its first four seasons and has served the last two years as an assistant at DeSales. "We tried like the dickens to get a scholarship for him. There were a couple Division II schools that offered him, but he wanted to play Division I college football.

"He's a real coachable kid and he's got great feet and great instincts. He plays the ball well. As a defensive back, he's a very good defender. I could see him being a good strong safety at Akron because he works hard in the weight room. Sometimes you get kids that are late bloomers."