Cam Camper was on track to be one of the most productive wide receivers in the Big Ten a season ago before an ACL injury put an end to his first season with the Indiana football program.
Heading into year two, Camper not only had to deal with the rebab part of his recovery, but also learning to work with a new wide receivers coach in Anthony Tucker.
Both have been difficult at times for Camper, but with fall camp here and the 2023 season within reach, things are starting to fall back into place.
“The staff, they do a great job of keeping my head straight on everything,” Camper told reporters on Monday. “Even though the season ended (with his injury), I actually had time in reality. Basically, just doing what I can every day. Days I can go, I’m gonna go. Days I gotta pull back, I’m gonna pull back.
“Right now, I’m going through practice as I would if I was not injured. I just think every day I’m making good strides, and I’m just focusing on making sure my technique is good. I’m just continuing to pay attention to detail, watching my other teammates and seeing what they do so I can get information on them. Right now, I’m just being a great learner.”
Watch: Indiana football wide receivers coach Anthony Tucker talks WR room, standouts at fall camp
Camper was a transfer from Trinity Valley Community College last season but looked like a power five prospect right away. He had 11 receptions for 156 yards in his debut with Indiana — most by a Hoosier in a debut in program history — and also had 10 catches for 126 yards against Cincinnati in week four. In seven games, Camper totaled 46 receptions for 569 yards and two touchdowns.
His presence on the field for Indiana is clearly significant and very important. But, it’s time off the field that has allowed Camper the ability to step up as a vocal leader, something wide receivers coach Anthony Tucker is grateful for.
“Cam’s been a great leader and great model in our room. He’s made his way back and worked really, really hard. He’s looked great, I am really pleased with Cam,” Tucker said. “I have seen his investment since I’ve been here. He’s highly invested in our program, in our room. He has a voice and presence with our team. Our team respects him … he had his own things he needed to work through and he’s been ahead of schedule on everything … That’s a tribute to who he is as a person and why he fits in our program so well, because he’s worked so hard to make his way back through that.”
For whomever the starting quarterback is come week one, it will be critical to have Camper on the field.
As of now, that’s the plan as Camper is looking to be ‘full go’ at the start of the season against Ohio State.
“That’s the plan,” Camper said on Monday. “Be full go at the start of the season.
“I just want to win the day, honestly. [Win the day] In practice, Monday through Thursday, so when game day comes around I am ready, then we start back over the next week. “
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