Q&A: Terrence Campbell on his NFL opportunity

Offensive lineman Terrence Campbell made his first trip to Washington, D.C., on Thursday morning. It was no ordinary visit to the nation’s capital.

Campbell, a team captain for the Gamecocks this past season, is getting a chance at professional football this week with the Washington Redskins.

He got the call from the Redskins on Sunday, a day after the NFL Draft ended. He has since reached out to former teammates Patrick DiMarco and Lemuel Jeanpierre on what to expect at Washington’s minicamp.

Campbell said Thursday in Washington will include meetings and a physical. Then there will be practice Friday, Saturday and Sunday before returning to Columbia.

He made strong impression at the Gamecocks’ pro day in late March, leading the way in the bench press with 34 reps of 225 pounds.

Here’s what Campbell said about this week and the days ahead.

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When did you get the news about the Redskins?

Sunday morning in church. I just looked at my voice mail and text messages and it was there. It was a blessing from God. I’ll tell you that much.

Who did you tell first?

I told my homeboys who were there with me. Then I told the pastor. She went crazy because she was just praying about it. It was real nice. Then I called my mom, my grandparents and everybody else.

Is this a tryout weekend?

This weekend is an opportunity to show what I can do and that I can play. I’m excited for the opportunity. I’m going up for the weekend. If it goes well, it’ll be long-term. If the numbers aren’t right or I don’t do as well as expected, then I’ll probably just be here for the weekend. Then I would have to go do this with another team.

I’m hoping to go up there and have a great minicamp and hoping they’re ready to sign me and pick me up. I’m ready to continue to have my opportunity and chance. It’s an exciting time for me.

Did you have any prior contact with the Redskins?

No, I didn’t. I thought I was going to get drafted. I had a lot of other teams hit me up before the draft. I thought one of those teams would pick me up. The Redskins, we never had any type of contact or connection. It was kind of surprising that they hit me up. But they run the zone scheme. They like linemen who do what I do. It worked out for the best.

Any worries at all when the phone didn’t ring after the draft ended Saturday?

Of course, you let stuff creep in your mind. You wouldn’t be normal if it didn’t. But you just keep the faith and keep hope and that’s what I did. I wasn’t stressing about nothing. I wasn’t worried about nothing. But of course it creeps in your mind if you don’t get a phone call during or right after the draft.

How hard have you worked these last few months for the chance?

I’ve worked tremendously hard, no days off. It’s been a grind, especially getting my leg back healthy. I traveled to Miami to stay in shape and work out down there and was in Columbia getting great treatment and training from the staff up here at the university. It’s been an everyday type of grind. You work so hard for these months for just a few days of a shot. But it’s all going to work out. Hard work always pays off.

Any idea if you’ll get to see the history and sights of D.C.?

If we’ve got time to do that, and they want to take us out to do that, I’d love to do it. I’ve never been to Washington. It will be a great experience for me.

This story was originally published May 3, 2012 at 2:31 PM with the headline "Q&A: Terrence Campbell on his NFL opportunity."