QB Jayru Campbell returns to practice for Ferris State; coach still mum on 'health issue'

Quarterback Jayru Campbell was back at practice for Ferris State on Wednesday, but his status for Saturday's home game against Davenport remains unclear.

Ferris State coach Tony Annese continues to only say that Campbell has been dealing with "health issues," though he won't be more clear about any specific injury. 

Campbell, the reigning winner of the Harlon Hill Trophy, which is the Division II equivalent of the Heisman, missed the first game of the season, played the next two,  then wasn't at this past weekend's game at Northern Michigan.

Ferris State has started three different quarterbacks in its first four games, and is pondering starting a fourth Saturday.

Annese said he's not sure who will start Saturday in a battle of unbeatens. Ferris State, ranked No. 2 nationally, is 4-0, and Davenport is 3-0, both sitting atop the standings in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

Campbell returned to practice for the first time in about a week.

Again, Annese declined to get specific about Campbell's situation.

"It's just day-to-day for him," Annese told reporters Wednesday. "It's not unusual for people to miss practice when you're dealing with things from a health perspective.

"It's not unusual. It's kind of how life rolls in college football."

After Saturday's game, Annese only would say it's "health issues."

Annese didn't return a phone call from The Detroit News.

A school spokesman told The News on Tuesday that Campbell still was on the team, despite rumblings to the contrary in college-football circles.

Campbell, a former Detroit Cass Tech star, led Ferris State to an 11-0 regular season last year and a spot in the national-championship game, which it lost. He did so despite dealing with a left (non-throwing) shoulder injury down the stretch. The injury led to offseason surgery, and was noted as the reason he missed the Week 1 game.

In Week 2, Campbell, who entered the season as a possible NFL Draft sleeper pick, threw for three touchdowns in his first game, but in Week 3 he threw three interceptions.

Travis Russell and Evan Cummins each have started one game at quarterback for Ferris State, and senior Jevon Shaw out of Farmington Hills Harrison could start Saturday, Annese said this weekend.

Campbell's story has been well-told. He starred at Cass Tech and had a scholarship offer to Michigan State, but got in trouble in high school, body-slamming a school security guard, landing him in jail. That cost him his scholarship, he ended up at community college in Kansas, then arrived at Ferris State, winning the Harlon Hill Trophy in 2018, his first year playing in Big Rapids.

tpaul@detroitnews.com

Twitter: @tonypaul1984