River Hill Grad Drafted by Baltimore Ravens

The football program at River Hill High School experienced a first this week.

Michael Campanero, 23, became the first River Hill grad to be drafted by the NFL, according to the Howard County Times. Campanero graduated from River Hill in 2009, helping the Hawks to the 2A state championships in 2007 and 2008.

Campanero reportedly made an impression on the Ravens coaches during an April practice with prospects when he had to take every single snap after another prospect pulled a muscle.

He was picked by the Baltimore Ravens in the seventh round of the draft, when the Ravens traded a sixth-round pick in 2015 to the Cleveland Browns.

Ravens assistant coach Eric DeCosta told The Baltimore Sun: "We think he brings something different to the team....It was a no-brainer."

In a statement released by the Ravens, DeCosta said: "It seems like every year, we’re always looking at these slot receivers on other teams, and the really good guys are always sixth-round picks, seventh-round picks or undrafted free agents who develop. We think Mike can be one of those guys."
As a slot receiver at Wake Forest University, Campanero had the most receptions in the team's history, with 229, The Washington Post reported.

"It couldn't be a better fit for me," Campanero said in an interview with Comcast SportsNet. "It's awesome."