Waffle House is a beloved restaurant for many in Southeastern Conference territory.
With restaurants in 25 states primarily in the southeastern portion of the United States, Waffle House walks the line between southern delicacy and internet meme machine. The restaurant also served as one of the highlights (and selling points) to bring the Tennessee Vols a highly-rated offensive lineman from the transfer portal.
After spending five years with the Miami Hurricanes, John Campbell Jr. entered the transfer portal for his final collegiate season. While the 6-foot-5, 320-pounder did eventually choose Tennessee, the Vols weren’t necessarily Campbell’s top pick.
“I’m not going to lie, I shot down Tennessee [at first],” Campbell said while speaking with the Knoxville media for the first time on Monday. “In my mind, I’m like I’m not going to Tennessee. I wanted to go somewhere else.”
As he continued to explore the program, though, Campbell’s opinion started to shift. Campbell specifically mentioned the Tennessee coaching staff’s familiarity dating back to their team at the University of Central Florida. The Orlando native also referenced Tennessee offensive analyst McKenzie Milton and the work that he did for the city of Orlando while playing for the Knights. Milton and Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel were together at UCF during the 2018 season.
Campbell also believes that the Tennessee offense can help him play his best football.
“I feel like I bring a lot to the table,” Campbell said. “I can pass block, I can run block, I can get in space, fast so I can run. I feel like this is the system to show what I can really do. This system, they’re putting me in space, giving me opportunities to make big plays for the team. So I’m just going to make plays. That’s what I’m going to do.”
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The city of Knoxville itself may have been the biggest surprise for Campbell when learning about the Tennessee football team and where it really sits.
“I’m from Florida,” Campbell said with a laugh. “Coming to Tennessee I just thought it was going to be flat land here, like nothing. Because even when I was going to take my (official visit) I’m like, ‘I don’t know, do I want to come out here and see it?’ But I just went in and I did it, came out here like, ‘Hey, it’s a city, looks cool, you feel me?'”
Campbell also mentioned the good food that Knoxville presented. And in the same breath, he turned out the example of Waffle House.
“They’ve got Waffle House,” Campbell said about Knoxville. “That’s a place I like. At ‘The U’ there wasn’t really no Waffle House. It was like 40 minutes away. So, no, I really like it here. A lot of good food options. Knoxville is a good place to be at, I ain’t even going to lie.”
When asked one final question of the press conference – regarding his Waffle House order, of course – John Campbell left the media with a question to think about themselves. A question… and maybe a plan for dinner on Monday night.
“Man, look, let me get the All-Star Special,” Campbell said with a grin. “Or we’re going waffle sandwich – you don’t know about that. Secret menu. Mhm. Waffle sandwich. Go get that.”
The full Waffle House discussion with Tennessee transfer OL John Campbell Jr on Monday after practice – @RockyTopInsider pic.twitter.com/9eAR4lwtMj
— Ric Butler (@Ric_Butler) August 7, 2023
