Wake Forest Athletics
Campanaro Continues to Shine on Path to NFL
3/26/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
March 26, 2014
By Kylie Hargreaves, WakeForestSports.com
As one of the most decorated players to come out of Wake Forest, Michael Campanaro is prepared to do whatever it takes to make his dream come true. After four remarkable years playing for the Demon Deacons, the record-setting receiver is finally taking his talents to the NFL.
Despite only playing in eight games during his senior season due to a broken collarbone, Campanaro ended his career breaking the school record for most career receptions and is third in school history in total receiving yards with 2,506. In his senior season alone he snatched up 67 passes for 803 yards and scored six touchdowns. Campanaro still managed to be named second team All-ACC despite his season-ending injury which occurred with only four games left in the season.
The first stop on Campanaro's path to NFL success was playing in the Reese's Senior Bowl game in January. After the bowl game he was invited to perform at the NFL combine in Indianapolis. Campanaro was the only Deacon invited to compete this year, and he made sure to make the most out his experience.
"The combine experience was great," said Campanaro. "I've been dreaming about performing at the combine since middle school so to be out there competing against the top guys across the country was a lot of fun."
Since completing his degree from Wake Forest in December, Campanaro has been training in Miami at Pete Bommarito's Sports Performance Systems. He was lucky enough to be able to train with current NFL players such as Tyrod Taylor, Darnell Docket and even San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
A primary focus of Campanaro's has been rehabbing his collarbone, which he broke on Nov. 2 at Syracuse.
"Getting back to 100 percent and feeling healthy was my main goal," said Campanaro. "The medical staff I've been working with have done an outstanding job on getting me back and now I feel 110 percent."
This was evident in Indianapolis when Campanaro put up an impressive 20 reps on the bench press, only three shy of the top receiver at the combine. He was also a top performer in the 60-yard dash placing fifth among the other receivers in the group.
After turning heads at the combine, Campanaro continued to shine at Wake Forest's Pro Day on March 17 despite the freezing rain and icy temperatures. The morning of Pro Day brought unexpected obstacles, but that did not stop participants, including Campanaro, from demonstrating their talents to the scouts.
"The weather was very rough so I think I showed some Northern team I can play in any weather," said Campanaro. "I really just wanted scouts to see my versatility and reassure their evaluation of my game."
Throughout the morning, participants were asked to perform a series of tests to demonstrate their strength, speed and overall potential. At the end they were given the opportunity to showcase their skills in their designated positions. Although Campanaro may be slightly undersized for a receiver, he makes up for this with his competitive drive and ability to get open and catch balls. He had a very solid performance during his position drills and assured scouts in attendance that he is not a player to be ignored or underestimated.
Campanaro, who feels he will be a mid-round selection, must now wait until the NFL Draft which begins on Thursday, May 8 and continues through the weekend.
