DAYTON, Ohio – Parris Campbell emerged out of the locker room sporting a bright red Ohio State hat, one he clearly wore as a source of pride. It was a status symbol.

Campbell, one of the fastest players in high school football last year, slowly strolled over to a fence near the field, wrapped his arms around the railing and reclined in the sun as he anticipated the beginning of warmups.

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He was in his element. He was the biggest name among dozens of college football prospects at the North-South Classic in Dayton on Saturday, and his Ohio State hat representing his future college program was the proof.

Campbell was special. And he liked it.

"I really wasn't thinking about (my status) a lot," Campbell said. "I was just trying to make new friends and get a good connection with other people. That's what I did."

During pregame warmups for the second game of the Ohio North-South Classic - this one featuring players from high schools in Division I-III - Campbell stopped before reaching midfield and imitated a cowboy with a lasso.

He was trying to have fun, basking in the glow of his final prep game before he reports to Ohio State on June 12. But when the game started, he showed why he was headed to Ohio's powerhouse program.

Campbell made one of the most exciting plays of the game on a 62-yard touchdown reception while helping lift the North to a 23-14 victory over the South. His speed, athleticism and talent was evident. He said it was important to him to make an impact.

"Yeah, definitely," he said. "Just because of all the type around my name. I didn't want to come and just not get seen or anything. It's definitely a big thing on your shoulders."

It's funny, because now Campbell, a product of St. Vincent-St. Mary, has a few more months before he reports to Ohio State and becomes ordinary. There he won't be anything special, just another inexperienced offensive playmaker on a roster filled with them.

Rated by Rivals.com a four-star prospect and the No. 15 running back in the 2015 class, Campbell has already been informed that he'll have to undergo an immediate position change when he arrives in Columbus.

"

I’m going to be playing slot receiver starting out," he said. "But they told me it’s all up to me how I adjust when I get there. They might bump me up and move me to running back later, but I’ll be starting at slot receiver."

So behind Dontre Wilson and Jalin Marshall. And if he makes the move to running back, he can look up at Ezekiel Elliott and Curtis Samuel, an early-enrolled freshman who made big steps forward in his first spring.

"It's really going to be hard, just because I'm going to see all the other guys around and think, 'Oh man, he might be working harder than me,' " Campbell said. "I mean, it's definitely going to be hard. ... I’m just going to go in with the mindset to work hard."

Campbell has been speaking regularly to Ohio State cornerback Doran Grant, also a product of St. Vincent-St. Mary who now starts for the Buckeyes. Grant also had to wait his turn when he arrived at Ohio State, and he's been informing Campbell that it's an uphill battle from the start.

But Campbell is an interesting prospect. Though he's viewed in the mold of Wilson – a small speedster who can make plays in space – he's actually a 6-foot, 181-pound athlete who has filled out his body.

His versatility could open the door for a faster route to the field, as he's out to prove

. Campbell already has shown he can make plays as a wide receiver

.

"It felt good to go out from high school like this," Campbell said. "I'm ready for college."