Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

SOLON – For most players going through a position change from one season to the next there is a transition phase.

In the case of Solon senior Eli Kampman who is moving from wide receiver to quarterback for his final prep season it is less of a transition period and more of a resharpening of skills.

After one season as a starting receiver Kampman returns to his natural position at quarterback replacing two-year starter Ty Bell.

“So far, through the offseason and the preseason he’s been really good, he’s done everything you want,” Solon coach Lucas Stanon said of Kampman. “He’s a really good leader first and foremost and you can tell he’s been excited about the opportunity to have his shot at starting and being the guy out there.”

Kampman has spent the past two seasons as the primary backup to Bell who directed the Spartans to an 18-5 record in two seasons under center.

Last season Kampman was a two-way starter at wide receiver and defensive back ranking eighth on the team with 24.5 tackles and catching 13 passes for 186 yards and a touchdown.

Even though he wasn’t playing quarterback on a daily basis Kampman never stopped thinking of himself as a quarterback.

“It helped me out a lot because I was on the field and seeing it but I wasn’t back there,” Kampman said. “I was imagining and envisioning myself as a quarterback in the moment and still producing as a receiver. It was like playing quarterback but not playing quarterback.”

As soon as his junior season ended Kampman began preparing for his final season as a quarterback.

He spent the offseason studying up on the playbook while refreshing his quarterback skills both mentally and physically.

“It’s been a lot of preparation with my quarterback coach (Noah) Sigwarth, he’s been great,” Kampman said. “We’ve been in the classroom, working a lot and getting a ton of mental reps last year even when I wasn’t playing and that’s prepared me pretty well for now.”

Along with working on his own skills Kampman dug into the film to study opposing defenses.

All while working to get bigger and stronger for his final prep season.

“Lots of watching film and breaking down other teams defenses,” Kampman said. “We head leadership meetings, lots of x’s and o’s and then just getting in the weight room and getting bigger and stronger and faster.”

Kampman has been impressive in his limited time under center the past two seasons.

The 6-foot, 185-pounder has completed a combined 30-of-44 passes for 379 yards and three touchdowns without an interception over the past two seasons.

Last season Kampman rushed for 116 yards and a touchdown on just six carries and brings an explosive running threat to the Solon backfield.

“He’s got those intangibles and one of the strengths that I like, and he can definitely pass the football, but having his legs and athleticism back there too it just makes us a little more dynamic on what we can do on offense,” Stanton said.

Kampman spent last season as one of the offensive playmakers for Bell, who for over 1,800 yards and 19 touchdowns.

This season Kampman will look to bring a playmaking element to the quarterback position but knows his main objective is to get the ball to a talented group of pass catchers.

Solon returns its top receiver in all-stater Maddox Kelley who caught 54 passes for 675 yards and seven touchdowns last season.

Juniors Cody Milliman (6-1, 195) and Kade Hoeper (6-2, 180) give Solon a dangerous combination outside after combing for 13 receptions for 149 yards last season.

“I have a bunch of guys that need a 1,000 yards receiving this year so I’m just a distributor,” Kampman said. “I’m getting the ball to my athletes and doing what I need to do.”

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