Elijah Campbell Bio
Elijah Campbell, born on August 24, 1995, is an American professional football safety and special teamer competing in the National Football League (NFL). After a winding journey through junior college and two NCAA Division I programs, he signed with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2018 and has since carved out a long career as a reliable special-teams contributor. He has appeared in the NFL with the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins, while also spending time with the Birmingham Iron of the Alliance of American Football (AAF) and the DC Defenders of the XFL.
Standing 5 feet 11 inches tall and listed at around 190 pounds, Campbell has built his reputation on speed, tackling in space, and dependable play on coverage units. Known for his work ethic and team-first approach, he has remained in professional football for several seasons despite going undrafted.
Early Life and Background
Elijah Campbell was born on August 24, 1995, in Saint Paul, Minnesota, in the United States. He grew up in the city as the son of Jamal Hickman and Denna Hickman, and he has carried his family name proudly throughout his athletic career. The Saint Paul area shaped his early years and gave him a foundation in the local football scene.
He attended Saint Paul Central High School, where he lettered in both football and track and field. As a high school player, he helped lead his team to an 8–1 record in 2012, rushing for 1,002 yards and 18 touchdowns that season. In his senior year, he played as a two-way athlete, recording 69 tackles and six interceptions, which helped him attract college attention.
Path to American Football
Campbell began his college career at Iowa Western Community College in 2014, where he played a role on a team that put together an undefeated season and competed in the Junior College National Championship. That experience gave him valuable playing time and helped him earn a move to a higher level of competition.
He transferred to Northern Illinois in 2015, where he appeared in 13 games during his lone season with the Huskies, mostly on special teams, recording five total tackles. After that year, he transferred again to the University of Northern Iowa, where he became a full-time starter at safety and developed into one of the top defensive backs in the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC).
Elijah Campbell Career
Early Career (2014–2017)
At Northern Iowa, Campbell won a starting safety role and made an immediate impact in 2016, starting 11 games and recording 42 tackles, three interceptions, six pass deflections, and two forced fumbles. His strong play earned him second-team All-MVFC recognition, marking him as a player on the rise in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).
As a senior in 2017, Campbell started 12 games at safety, recording 51 tackles, one sack, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, five interceptions, and 17 pass breakups. He was named first-team All-MVFC and third-team FCS All-American, finishing his college career as one of the most productive defensive backs in the conference.
Cleveland Browns Era (2018)
Following the 2018 NFL Draft, Campbell signed with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent on May 4, 2018. He competed for a roster spot through training camp and the preseason but was waived by the team on August 31, just before the start of the regular season. His release from Cleveland opened the door to professional opportunities in alternate football leagues.
Birmingham Iron Era (2019)
In November 2018, Campbell signed with the Birmingham Iron of the Alliance of American Football, a spring league that launched in 2019. He made the roster out of training camp in February 2019 and played eight weeks of games for the Iron, gaining valuable professional experience. The league, however, ceased operations in April 2019, ending his time with the franchise.
DC Defenders Era (2020)
On October 16, 2019, Campbell was selected by the DC Defenders of the XFL with the fourth overall pick in the defensive backs phase of the 2020 XFL Draft. He played in four games for the Defenders before the league suspended operations on April 10, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to the termination of his contract.
New York Jets Era (2020–2021)
Campbell signed with the New York Jets practice squad on November 3, 2020. He was elevated to the active roster on December 5 for a Week 13 game against the Las Vegas Raiders and was promoted to the active roster a few days later. He spent time with the Jets through the 2021 offseason before being waived on August 31, 2021.
Miami Dolphins Era (2021–2025)
On September 1, 2021, Campbell was claimed off waivers by the Miami Dolphins, launching the longest and most productive chapter of his NFL career. He was placed on injured reserve on November 27, 2021, but returned to re-sign with the team on March 8, 2022. Over his time in Miami, he appeared in 16 games with one start in 2022 and 15 games with one start in 2023, working primarily on special teams.
On March 8, 2024, Campbell re-signed for a fourth season with the Dolphins and played in all 17 games, including one start, posting 11 combined tackles and one forced fumble. On May 12, 2025, he signed with Miami again, and in 10 appearances that season he recorded five combined tackles before being placed on season-ending injured reserve on December 20, 2025, due to an ankle injury.
New York Giants Era (2026–Present)
On March 20, 2026, Campbell signed with the New York Giants, joining the team as an experienced special-teams player and reserve safety. His move to New York represents a fresh chapter late in his professional career, giving him an opportunity to contribute on a new roster.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the highlights of Campbell’s career, his third-team FCS All-American selection in 2017 stands as his most decorated individual honor at the college level. He has also appeared in dozens of NFL games across multiple franchises, a notable achievement for a player who entered the league as an undrafted free agent, and he has remained active in professional football for multiple seasons.
Elijah Campbell Career Wins
Elijah Campbell’s professional career has been built less on headline win totals and more on steady special-teams play and defensive depth contributions. His journey from undrafted free agent to long-time NFL contributor, with stints in both the AAF and XFL, reflects a consistent record of perseverance across multiple professional leagues.
Elijah Campbell Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Elijah Campbell is the son of Jamal Hickman and Denna Hickman, who raised him in Saint Paul, Minnesota. His family’s support and his Saint Paul roots have been central to his athletic journey from high school through professional football.
Personal Life
Campbell began dating his future wife, Anisse, and the couple became engaged in July 2019. On June 26, 2021, the two married in Ham Lake, Minnesota. They welcomed a son, Zakai, on April 21, 2018, and the family has built a business life together as well, owning and operating several Florida-area franchises of the açaí bowl chain restaurant Nautical Bowls.
2025 Season Performance
Elijah Campbell entered the 2025 season with the Miami Dolphins after re-signing on May 12, 2025, continuing his role as a core special-teams player and reserve safety. In 10 appearances during the season, he recorded five combined tackles, contributing to the team’s coverage units throughout the year.
His season, however, was cut short on December 20, 2025, when he was placed on season-ending injured reserve due to an ankle injury. The Dolphins faced roster adjustments in his absence as they pushed toward the late stages of the schedule.
Looking ahead, Campbell’s contract situation and his signing with the New York Giants in March 2026 signal a fresh opportunity at a new franchise. As he transitions to New York, he is expected to compete for a special-teams role and provide veteran depth in the defensive backfield, with the chance to contribute on a team aiming to build momentum in its upcoming campaign.