BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Campbell has signed four in the 2017 early signing period, announced today by head coach
Mike Minter.
Joining the Camels will be Lance Axson, a defensive back from Orlando, Fla. (Foundation Academy), offensive lineman Austin Blake from Dacula, Ga. (Buford HS), Lex Goodwin, a wide receiver, originally from Ames, Iowa and a Wake Forest High product, and Jackson Hayes, a long snapper from Dillon, S.C. (Dillon HS).
The Camels will round out the remainder of their incoming 2018 class in February.
Lance Axson | DB | 5-11 | 175 | Orlando, Fla. | Foundation Academy
A three-time first team all-district and all-county performer…Tallied seven interceptions, 113 tackles, four sacks, four forced fumbles and 34 passes defended with 314 rush yards, 315 passing yards and six touchdowns…An honor roll student…Also lettered in track…Coached by Brad Lord…Brother of current Camel Lester Axson…Full name is Lance Terrick-Stone Russell Axson…Born September 1, 1999…Son of Lester, Sr. and Yolanda Axson…Also has a sister, Valencia…Plans a business major with a minor in communications…
Austin Blake | OL | 6-3 | 275 | Dacula, Ga. | Buford HS
A 2017 GACA North/South All-Star Football Classic invitee…Helped lead the Wolves to a combined 52-6 record, including a 2014 state championship, as well as title game appearances in 2015 and 2016, with a semifinal showing in 2017, and four region titles…Earned Gwinnett County Touchdown Club honors…An honor roll student…Competed in the United States Weightlifting Federation in 2016 and 2017, placing in the top three four times…Tabbed Buford's most improved senior in spring 2017…Coached by John Ford and Jess Simpson…Also lettered in basketball and track & field…Active member of the Buford High FCA…Full name is Austin Tyler Blake…Born September 4, 1999…Son of Todd Blake and Shannon Griffin-Blake…Has a brother, Anderson…Father played baseball at Catawba College and in the St. Louis Cardinals organization…Mother was a javelin thrower at North Carolina…
Lex Goodwin | WR | 6-2 | 205 | Ames, Iowa | Wake Forest HS
Led Wake Forest High School to back to back state championships and undefeated seasons in 2016 and 2017…Helped the Cougars to a conference title and an undefeated regular season in 2015…Named all-conference in 2017…Hauled in 643 yards with nine touchdowns on 31 catches as a senior, adding 52 tackles, 122 return yards and one return TD…Caught nine passes for 224 yards and three touchdowns in 2016…Collected 18 catches for 293 yards and three scores in 2015…Coached by Reggie Lucas…Also lettered in track and basketball…Helped set a school 4x200 record in 2014, earning state qualifier status…Full name is Lexington Howard Goodwin…Born December 30, 1999…Son of Matthew and La Tosca Goodwin…Has three siblings, Matthew, Maxwell and Savannah…Father played football at Iowa State, and later in the CFL, being named 1994 CFL Rookie of the Year and winning the 1995 Grey Cup with the Baltimore Stallions…Mother ran track at Iowa State…
Jackson Hayes | LS | 6-2 | 200 | Dillon, S.C. | Dillon HS
Helped lead Dillon High School to three state championships (2014, 2015, 2017), playing tight end and long snapper…Caught six passes for 70 yards and a touchdown, adding six tackles in 2017…Made one grab for five yards as a junior…Collected five tackles in 2015…A Wendy's High School Heisman nominee…A member of the National Honors Society, Beta Club and Palmetto Boys State…Coached by Jackie Hayes, Kelvin Roller, Zach Hayes, Alan McLaurin, Norman Quick, Ryan Young and Jamie Norris…Also lettered in baseball…Plans an exercise science major at Campbell…Full name is Jackson McDaniel Hayes…Born July 31, 2000…Son of Mike and Dana Hayes…Has two siblings, Michael and Ethan…
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Campbell finished 2017 6-5 overall and 5-3 in PFL play, matching the program's best overall and conference records in its 10 year history. The Camels also set a record for road wins (3).
Ten Camels earned All-PFL recognition, with safety
Carlos Merritt and defensive end
Emmanuel Olenga taking First Team nods. Quarterback
Daniel Smith, wide receiver
Aaron Blockmon and offensive tackle
Shuler Littleton were also tabbed Second Team All-PFL, while five others were named honorable mention All-PFL.
Smith was named the PFL's Offensive Freshman of the Year, and was a finalist for the STATS Jerry Rice Award for FCS freshman player of the year, finishing fourth in the final voting. Smith finished the 2017 regular season with the fourth-most rushing yards in the country, with his 1,272 yards on the ground leading all FCS freshmen and quarterbacks. Smith set Campbell single-season records for rushing yards, total offense (3,161), all-purpose yards (1,272) and touchdowns responsible for (30). After just one season, Smith is already Campbell's career leader in touchdown passes with 18.
The Camels set 16 team single-season school records in 2017, plus 19 individual single-season marks on the way to their historic season. Additionally, CU set Barker-Lane Stadium records for average, total and single-game attendance for the second straight season.
Campbell will join the Big South Conference in football in 2018.
