Elijah Campbell Bio
Elijah Campbell is an American professional football safety and special teamer who currently plays in the National Football League (NFL). Born on August 24, 1995, in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Campbell has built a reputation as a reliable special teams contributor throughout his professional career. After going undrafted in 2018, he signed with the Cleveland Browns and has since played for multiple NFL franchises and alternative leagues, demonstrating versatility and persistence in pursuit of his NFL dreams.
Early Life and Background
Campbell was born to Jamal Hickman and Denna Hickman in Saint Paul, Minnesota. He attended Saint Paul Central High School in his hometown, where he excelled as a two-sport athlete. During his high school years, Campbell lettered in both football and track and field, showcasing his athletic versatility early on.
In his senior season at Saint Paul Central, Campbell was a standout two-way player. He helped lead his team to an impressive 8-1 record, rushing for 1,002 yards and 18 touchdowns on offense while also contributing significantly on defense with 69 tackles. His defensive prowess was particularly notable, as he recorded six interceptions that season, demonstrating the playmaking ability that would define his collegiate career.
Path to American Football
After graduating from high school, Campbell began his collegiate journey at Iowa Western Community College in 2014. Playing as a junior college athlete, he contributed to the Reivers during an undefeated season and appeared in the Junior College National Championship, providing him with valuable experience at a competitive level of football.
Campbell then transferred to Northern Illinois University, joining the Huskies football team for the 2015 season. In his lone year with Northern Illinois, he appeared in 13 games, primarily contributing on special teams. He recorded five total tackles during this season before making another transfer, this time to Northern Iowa.
At Northern Iowa, Campbell truly established himself as a defensive playmaker. During his senior season in 2017, he started 12 games at safety and recorded 51 tackles, one sack, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, five interceptions, and 17 pass breakups. These outstanding performances earned him First-team All-MVFC honors and Third-team FCS All-American recognition. His 2016 season also showed promise, as he started 11 games with 42 tackles, three interceptions, six pass deflections, and two forced fumbles, earning Second-team All-MVFC honors.
Elijah Campbell Career
Cleveland Browns (2018)
Following his collegiate career at Northern Iowa, Campbell entered the 2018 NFL Draft. Despite his impressive college credentials, he went undrafted. However, his talent did not go unnoticed, as he signed with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent on May 4, 2018. Campbell competed for a roster spot during training camp but was waived before the start of the regular season on August 31, 2018.
Birmingham Iron and DC Defenders (2019–2020)
After his time with the Browns, Campbell sought opportunities in alternative professional leagues. He signed with the Birmingham Iron of the Alliance of American Football (AAF) in November 2018. He made the roster out of training camp in February 2019 and played eight weeks of games with the Iron before the league ceased operations in April 2019.
Campbell then joined the XFL, where he was selected by the DC Defenders with the fourth overall selection in the defensive backs phase of the 2020 XFL Draft on October 16, 2019. He played in four games for the Defenders before the league suspended operations on April 10, 2020, terminating his contract.
New York Jets (2020–2021)
Campbell continued pursuing his NFL dreams and signed with the New York Jets practice squad on November 3, 2020. His hard work paid off when he was elevated to the active roster on December 5 for the team’s Week 13 game against the Las Vegas Raiders. He reverted to the practice squad after the game before being promoted to the active roster on December 8, 2020. Campbell was ultimately waived on August 31, 2021.
Miami Dolphins (2021–2025)
Campbell’s persistence earned him another NFL opportunity when he was claimed off waivers by the Miami Dolphins on September 1, 2021. He was placed on injured reserve on November 27, 2021, but returned the following year. On March 8, 2022, Campbell re-signed with the Dolphins. In the 2022 season, he played in 16 games with one start at safety, primarily contributing on special teams.
The Dolphins tendered Campbell again on March 7, 2023. During the 2023 season, he appeared in 15 games with one start at safety, continuing his role as a special teams contributor. On March 8, 2024, Campbell was re-signed for his fourth season with the Dolphins. He played in all 17 games for Miami during the 2024 season, including one start, and posted 11 combined tackles with one forced fumble.
On May 12, 2025, Campbell re-signed with the Dolphins. In 10 appearances for Miami that season, he recorded five combined tackles before being placed on season-ending injured reserve on December 20 due to an ankle injury.
Playing Style and Strengths
Campbell has established himself as a reliable safety and special teams player throughout his professional career. His ability to contribute on multiple special teams units has been a consistent strength, helping him remain on NFL rosters despite changing teams. His collegiate film showed excellent ball skills, with 11 career interceptions at Northern Iowa, and his tackling ability has translated well to the professional level.
Notable Statistics and Milestones
Throughout his NFL career, Campbell has accumulated 45 total tackles, 2 pass deflections, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery. His most productive seasons came with the Miami Dolphins, where he served as a consistent special teams presence. Campbell’s journey through multiple leagues and teams demonstrates his resilience and ability to earn opportunities through special teams play.
Elijah Campbell Career Wins
Campbell’s professional career has been marked by the opportunity to compete at the NFL level and contribute on special teams for multiple franchises. While he has not achieved traditional statistical “wins,” his career highlights include earning roster spots with four different NFL teams and maintaining a professional career spanning multiple leagues.
College Highlights
Campbell’s most decorated accomplishments came during his collegiate career at Northern Iowa. His 2017 senior season stands out as exceptional, as he earned Third-team FCS All-American honors and First-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference recognition. He recorded 51 tackles, five interceptions, three forced fumbles, and 17 pass breakups that season. His 2016 campaign also demonstrated his playmaking ability with three interceptions and six pass deflections, earning him Second-team All-MVFC honors.
Professional Milestones
Campbell’s professional milestones include signing with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2018, demonstrating that his collegiate success translated to professional interest despite not being drafted. He has since appeared in games for the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins, accumulating significant NFL experience. His ability to bounce back from adversity, including injuries and roster moves, highlights his determination to maintain an NFL career.
Elijah Campbell Family
Family Background
Campbell was born to Jamal Hickman and Denna Hickman in Saint Paul, Minnesota. His parents supported his athletic pursuits throughout his youth, and their encouragement helped him develop into the professional athlete he became.
Personal Life
Campbell married his longtime girlfriend Anisse on June 26, 2021, in Ham Lake, Minnesota. The couple had been engaged since July 2019. They share a son named Zakai, born on April 21, 2018. Beyond football, Campbell and his wife have pursued business ventures, owning and operating several Florida-area franchises of Nautical Bowls, an açaí bowl restaurant chain. This demonstrates Campbell’s involvement in entrepreneurship and planning for his post-football career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a challenging year for Campbell with the Miami Dolphins. He re-signed with the team in May 2025 and appeared in 10 games, recording five combined tackles throughout the season. His contributions were limited compared to previous years, as he struggled with an ankle injury that ultimately ended his season.
On December 20, 2025, the Dolphins placed Campbell on season-ending injured reserve due to the ankle injury. This marked the first time his season was cut short due to injury since joining the Dolphins. Despite this setback, Campbell had demonstrated enough over his previous four seasons in Miami to earn multiple contract renewals from the organization.
Campbell’s future in the NFL remains uncertain following this injury-plagued season. His special teams experience and veteran leadership could make him an attractive option for teams seeking experienced depth at safety, though his recovery from the ankle injury will be a key factor in determining his next opportunities in professional football.