By PFW staff
July 10, 2008

Former Army safety Caleb Cambell, one of the feel-good stories of the second day of the NFL draft, might not get a chance to play football this season.

In order to pursue his dream of playing in the NFL, Campbell, who was drafted in Round Seven by the Lions, now must wait for a ruling from West Point. He had to apply to the academy’s alternative service option to attempt to play football.

The Dallas Morning News reports that, according to the Under Secretary of Defense, Army graduates can request early release from active duty service obligations only after serving a minimum of 24 months, but there is a gray area.

The Army currently is reviewing the case, and Campbell could be allowed to take his alternative service option and play for the Lions by recruiting in the Detroit area for the two-year period, assuming Campbell makes the team and remains on the roster for the duration of that period. If he’s cut, per a 2007 memorandum, the graduate must “either return to active duty or complete the remaining ADSO.”

The Lions plan to try Campbell at linebacker in the team’s Tampa-2 scheme. Team sources say Campbell would have about a 50-50 shot of making the roster, as his special-teams value is regarded as being high by the coaching staff. He became the first player in 11 years to be drafted from West Point.