Hailing from Denver, Colorado, Calais Campbell was regarded as one of the best defensive end prospects in the nation during his start as a high school athlete. Despite his size, Campbell was also a star prospect on the basketball court averaging a total 22.7 points, 16.0 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks per game as a junior. With so much potential as a multi-sport athlete Campbell took his talents to the University of Miami where he participated in the Hurricanes football team for a total of three seasons. In those three seasons, Calais Campbell racked up a total of 129 tackles, 19.5 sacks, and one interception.
After a successful collegiate career, Campbell declared himself to the 2008 NFL Draft where he was drafted 50th overall in the second round by the Arizona Cardinals. In nine seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, Campbell was paid a total of $58.5 million by the Cardinals including a $17 million base salary and $12 signing bonus in the year 2012 alone. In March 2017, Campbell signed a four-year $60 million, $30 million guaranteed contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars. While the Jaguars might be going through a transition now, there has been some return on their investment with Calais holding franchise records for most sacks in a game (4) and most sacks in a season (14.5).