6 Questions with Michael Campanaro
1/13/2020 12:08:00 PM | Football
"When I look at the program as a whole, I’m just blown away by what coach Clawson has done. He’s turned it into a legit top-25 program in the country." - Michael Campanaro
Wake Forest football has been lighting up the scoreboard offensively the last three seasons, but Michael Campanaro (2010-13) still sits atop the career receptions list with 229 catches for 2,506 yards and 14 touchdowns.
After graduating from Wake Forest, Campanaro had a four-year career with the Baltimore Ravens in the NFL.
Campanaro recently spent some time chatting with Deacon Sports Xtra for this Six Questions feature:
How closely did you follow the Ravens this season?
Campanaro: "It's been super exciting. It's been awesome. I back here in Maryland now, which is where I'm from. I was a Ravens fan even before they drafted me. Every game I was excited to watch for the people in the building who I'm close with — the players, the coaches and the fans of the team. It's been pretty electric here in Maryland all season."
What are your thoughts on being named the Wake Forest Player of the Decade by the ACC's Jeff Fischel?
Campanaro: "It was awesome, and a tremendous honor to be on the list with other players from different schools. You look at that list and there's some talented, hard-working guys. It was cool to represent Wake Forest the five years I was there. It was a great time for myself. I've had tons of coaches and teammates who deserve a lot of credit for the success that I had there. I had a bunch of friends send me that list and now a bunch of them are calling me "A.D." as a joke."
What '2020 Michael Campanaro' would tell 'Wake Forest sophomore Michael Campanaro?'
Campanaro: "People say it all the time, that you blink your eye and it's gone fast. I would probably tell that person to cherish the days you're playing in college with some of your best friends. Just cherish that college game. From high school football, to college football to the NFL — each football is different. The game isn't the same at each level. Just cherish those days while you're in college."
What are your thoughts on what Dave Clawson is doing as coach at Wake Forest?
Campanaro: "I came down a few days before the Duke game with my brother and toured the new facilities. We had dinner with the team and coaches, and got to sit in on the offensive meetings. We got to sit in with coach Clawson and the team. I was just completely blown away by the program and what he's done. After the offensive meeting, we got to talk for nearly an hour. It was late at night on a Friday. It was so cool that he and receivers coach Kevin Higgins took the time.
"I remember leaving and telling my brother how blown away I was by Coach Clawson. He has the whole team and the program bought in. The facilities are amazing and top notch. The strength staff is awesome. The players are coached well, bought in, developing guys and top players. Wake is putting players in the NFL, even at early ages. When I look at the program as a whole, I'm just blown away by what coach Clawson has done. He's turned it into a legit top-25 program in the country in terms of coaching, talent and facilities."
"I didn't play for any of those guys, and when I went back the coaching staff treated me like I was home. That was awesome. I didn't even play for those guys, but they treated an alum that way. He's (Clawson) is definitely a great coach)."
What did you think about the Michael Campanaro song?
Campanaro: "It was hilarious. I loved it when they first came out with it. I got a chance to hang out with the songwriter, producers and directors at ACC Media Day. We hopped on a piano and made a funny video. That was great when it came out. They would play it all the time at practices and tease me with it all the time. Those are good times, for sure."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTVAgEf-x5s
Are you proud of going 6-for-7 passing in your Wake Forest career?
Campanaro: "My one incompletion was an interception, so I tell people my passes never hit the ground. I had some good trick plays back then throwing the ball. You can never really see behind the linemen when you're 5-foot-9, so you just throw it to where the receiver is going to be. I can't read coverages back there. I was just throwing it."
