East Lake athlete George Campbell, one of the nation’s top recruits in the Class of 2015, said he will have surgery on his left wrist April 19 and miss the next three months.
Campbell said the injury happened during the Class 8A region semifinal win against Vero Beach last season. He said the pain was more noticeable during basketball season, and it became worse when trying to catch passes in offseason camps and passing leagues.
“I could feel it more and more,” Campbell said. “I was starting to get headaches it was hurting so bad.”
Campbell’s final athletic event this season was Monday’s Pinellas County Athletic Conference track meet, where he finished second in the 100 meters.
“The doctors and coaches felt that it was time for me to shut it down after that,” he said.
The loss of Campbell is tough for the Eagles, who are still trying to work in a new quarterback since the graduation of Pete DiNovo, who is now at UCF. Last year, Campbell had a breakthrough season with 766 yards receiving and five touchdowns and 44 tackles on defense.
“We’ll be fine,” coach Bob Hudson said. “The good thing is the injury happened in the spring. It’ll give us time to work in some other guys while he’s out.”
Campbell said he still plans on taking trips and will visit Vanderbilt this weekend.
“I was down at first,” Campbell said. “But everybody has been there to pick me up. I’ll be ready to go in July.”