Opposites attract TD Club awards attention

Reggie Campbell and Dre Moore could not be more opposite in terms of appearance and playing style.

However, Campbell and Moore are quite similar in terms of performance on the football field. Both men were impact players this past season, putting up impressive statistics and earning numerous accolades.

As a result, Campbell and Moore are recipients of the two prestigious collegiate awards handed out by the Touchdown Club of Annapolis at its annual football banquet next month.

Campbell has been named winner of the Tony Rubino Memorial Silver Helmet Award that goes to the most outstanding player at the Naval Academy. The senior captain was a three-year standout, two-year starter and record-breaking performer for the Midshipmen.

"Reggie has been a special player four us all four years. Not only is he a great football player, but he's also a great person," former Navy head coach Paul Johnson said recently.

"He's got some outstanding tools, a lot of heart and loves to play the game. You can never have too many Reggie Campbells."

Moore has been selected to receive the Louis L. Goldstein Memorial Gold Helmet, given annually to the most outstanding player at the University of Maryland. The senior defensive lineman, named first-team All-ACC, was a dominant force during his second season as a starter for the Terrapins and is considered a professional prospect.

"Dre is really a remarkable kid. He's shown what hard work can do for you and has matured into one heck of a player," Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen told reporters a few weeks ago.

Campbell was a three-time, All-State selection at Lake Mary High in Sanford, Fla., but drew scant Division I interest due to his height. Navy assistant Ivin Jasper saw a special football player who was also a champion in competitive weightlifting and track. Jasper felt Campbell would be a perfect as a slot in Navy's triple-option offense and was right.

Campbell completed his career ranked second all-time at Navy with 4,539 all-purpose yards. Only the great Napoleon McCallum, a former Heisman Trophy candidate who would play in the National Football League, accumulated more.

Campbell also finished as Navy's all-time leader in both kickoff return yardage (1,905) and kickoff returns (80). The speedster's 1,098 yards on kickoff returns this season were a school record.

Campbell enjoyed a tremendous senior season with 2,019 all-purpose yards and 11 touchdowns. He was named Most Valuable Player of the Army-Navy game after piling up 227 all-purpose yards and scoring two touchdowns. He was named All-Independent by Phil Steele College Football Magazine and invited to play in the Hula Bowl Senior All-Star game, being held Saturday in Hawaii.

"I don't think there's any argument that Reggie is the best overall slot back we've had here. He does everything well - running, receiving and blocking," said former assistant Jeff Monken, who coached that position all six years under Johnson.

Moore was considered a project when he signed with Maryland out of Independence High in Charlotte, N.C. The massive youngster did not play organized football until his senior season.

Through dedication in the weight room, Moore developed into an Iron Terp with the third-highest strength index on the team. He set a school record for defensive linemen with a 365-pound clean.

With determination on the practice field, Moore refined his technique and become a stopper along the interior line. This past season, the senior led all Maryland down linemen with 63 tackles and ranked second on the team with 8.5 tackles for loss. He routinely overpowered opposing centers and beat double-teams in recording a team-best six sacks.

"Dre came here a raw kid without too much of a clue of what it takes to be successful at this level. Obviously, he's come a long way in a short amount of time," Maryland defensive line coach Dave Sollazzo said. "This season, Dre put it all together and became a major impact player. He was a force at times and was very, very difficult to block."

Moore, who will graduate with a degree in family studies this month, is considered a likely NFL Draft pick.

"I think because Dre is so strong and has very good speed for such a big body, he'll be very productive at the next level," Sollazzo said.