Campbell soldiers onward

A thin scar runs down the back of Bruce Campbell's massive neck.

It's the result of a brain surgery the Terrapin left tackle had his sophomore year of high school. Campbell's not clear on the details — something about draining fluid, relieving pressure and his body growing too fast for his bones.

He doesn't really remember, and it's not important anymore. The pain wasn't too bad, and he just had to deal with a stiff neck for a few days. In fact, Campbell compares the surgery recovery to the sprained MCL that kept him out of action against Wake Forest earlier this month.

And it was nothing compared to the turf toe that shelved him for two games and still bothers him daily.

"I didn't get back into a sneaker for almost two weeks," said Campbell, who sustained the injury in the Terps' season-opening loss at California. "I couldn't wear a sneaker. I couldn't wear a cleat. I could barely wear flip-flops. It's by far the worst injury I've ever had, to tell you the truth."

Welcome to Campbell's world.

It's a place where you may be more gigantic and ripped than any other life-form you encounter, but this year especially, it's not easy.

With seven days a week of pre-8 a.m. treatment, painful Sundays after forcing his way through games on Saturday fueled solely by adrenaline and a lousy 2-6 record to show for it, it's hard to imagine how — and why — the 6-foot-7, 310-pounder does it.

The player who was the top recruit out of Connecticut in 2006 freely — and inexplicably — blames himself for the Terps' lack of success this season. While finally getting a chance to rest his ailing body during the Terps' bye week, Campbell is trying to remain focused on the final four games of a lost season — and ignore the allure of an NFL career sure to come when it's finished.

"I think he's a trooper," coach Ralph Friedgen said. "A lot of guys wouldn't be playing, but Bruce is. I appreciate that."

It's no surprise that Friedgen is grateful. If Campbell had to miss much more time, it's a good bet he would've had to push true freshmen Nick Klemm or Pete DeSouza into action along the line. And for a line that's allowed an average of three sacks per game and garnered just 2.8 yards per rush, even more youth would not be a good thing.

That's led Campbell, who says his mother, Rita, wouldn't buy the talk that her son isn't "a complainer," to push himself to his limits. He's managed to be in uniform for five of the Terps' eight games.

"Sunday is a sleep day for Bruce," Campbell said matter-of-factly.

Linemate Paul Pinegar knows Campbell isn't anywhere near as menacing as his imposing demeanor and physique would indicate. He sees Campbell struggling, even if it's just a facial expression in the huddle or a ginger movement in practice.

Pinegar has asked Campbell if he wants to switch off the left side and take a break from the important job of protecting quarterback Chris Turner's blind side from tenacious pass rushers. But the grit and determination Campbell has shown on the field this season has led the 6-foot-4, 290-pound former walk-on to a conclusion most would make at first glance.

"I think if I were ever to have to get in the ring with him, I'd probably have to throw in the towel after a round or two," Pinegar said.

Campbell has relished the past few days as a chance to be a normal student and get some well-deserved rest. The junior said his body feels refreshed and he fully expects to play the last four games no matter how much pain he has to endure.

Beyond that, Campbell, who will be four years removed from high school by NFL Draft time thanks to a prep year at Hargrave Military Academy, is not sure what the future holds.

NFLDraftScout.com ranks Campbell as the third-best tackle in the 2011 Draft Class and a possible first-round pick — something that no Terp offensive tackle has ever achieved.

But, for a freakish athlete who's sure to wow with his NFL Combine numbers, leaving early is definitely worth considering. Campbell hopes being back on the field two weeks after a toe injury that normally takes four to six weeks for recovery will show pro scouts he is a quick healer.

"I'm going to put myself in the best situation," Campbell said. "I'm not going to want to try to screw myself over."

Either way, the Terps go back to work next week, hoping to shake their inconsistent play, which has been more annoyingly painful than Campbell's right big toe.

"We're at the point where we just trying to break through the wall," Campbell said. "We're just trying to get one good hit — Pow! — the wall crumbles and we're running again."

If that's all the Terps need, it'd be hard to think of someone better to be leading that charge than Campbell. And they better enjoy their hard-nosed, mammoth of a weapon while they still have a chance.

edetweiler@umdbk.com