Elijah Campbell Bio
Elijah Campbell (born August 24, 1995) is an American professional football safety and special teamer for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). After playing college football for Iowa Western, Northern Illinois, and Northern Iowa, he signed with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2018. He has also played for the Birmingham Iron of the Alliance of American Football (AAF) and the DC Defenders of the XFL.
Standing 180 centimeters tall and weighing 91 kilograms, Campbell has carved out a career in professional football through special teams play and reserve defensive back duties. His professional journey has spanned multiple leagues and franchises, including the Cleveland Browns, New York Jets, and Miami Dolphins.
Early Life and Background
Elijah Campbell was born on August 24, 1995, in Saint Paul, Minnesota. He is the son of Jamal Hickman and Denna Hickman, and grew up in the Saint Paul area where he developed an early interest in athletics.
He attended Saint Paul Central High School in Saint Paul, Minnesota, where he lettered in both football and track and field. During his high school years, he helped his team to an 8–1 record in 2012, rushing for 1,002 yards and 18 touchdowns. As a two-way athlete during his senior season, he recorded 69 tackles and added six interceptions, showcasing his versatility on both sides of the ball.
Path to American Football
Following high school, Campbell began his college career at Iowa Western Community College. In 2014, he contributed to the Reivers’ undefeated season and played in the Junior College National Championship, gaining valuable experience at the junior college level.
He then transferred to play for the Northern Illinois Huskies football team in 2015. In his lone season at Northern Illinois, Campbell appeared in 13 games, mainly on special teams, recording five total tackles. After the season, he transferred once more, this time to play for the Northern Iowa Panthers football team.
At Northern Iowa, Campbell won a starting safety role and started 11 games in 2016, recording 42 tackles, three interceptions, six pass deflections, and two forced fumbles. He was named second-team All-MVFC for his performance that year. As a senior in 2017, Campbell started 12 games at safety, recording 51 tackles, one sack, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, five interceptions, and 17 pass breakups. His strong senior campaign earned him first-team All-MVFC and third-team FCS All-American honors.
Elijah Campbell Career
Cleveland Browns (2018)
Campbell signed with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent following the 2018 NFL draft on May 4, 2018. He was waived before the start of the regular season on August 31, marking a brief initial stint with the organization.
Birmingham Iron (2018–2019)
Campbell signed with the Birmingham Iron of the Alliance of American Football (AAF) in November 2018. He made the roster out of training camp in February 2019, but after playing eight weeks of games, the league ceased operations the following April, ending his time with the Iron.
DC Defenders (2020)
Campbell was selected by the DC Defenders of the XFL with the fourth overall pick in the defensive backs phase of the 2020 XFL draft on October 16, 2019. He played in four games for the Defenders before the league suspended operations on April 10, 2020, and his contract was terminated.
New York Jets (2020–2021)
Campbell signed with the New York Jets’ practice squad on November 3, 2020. He was elevated to the active roster on December 5 for the team’s Week 13 game against the Las Vegas Raiders, and reverted to the practice squad after the game. He was promoted to the active roster on December 8 and remained with the organization until he was waived on August 31, 2021.
Miami Dolphins Era (2021–Present)
Campbell was claimed off waivers by the Miami Dolphins on September 1, 2021, marking the beginning of his longest professional tenure. He was placed on injured reserve on November 27 of that year. On March 8, 2022, Campbell re-signed with the Dolphins, and he played in 16 games with one start at safety, mainly appearing on special teams.
On March 7, 2023, the Dolphins tendered Campbell. He played in 15 games with one start at safety, again appearing mostly on special teams. On March 8, 2024, Campbell was re-signed for his fourth season with the Dolphins. On May 12, 2025, Campbell re-signed with the Dolphins, continuing his role as a key special teams contributor and reserve safety.
Driving Style and Strengths
Note: This section is not applicable to a football player and has been omitted in favor of role-appropriate content.
Notable Events and Milestones
Campbell’s career is highlighted by his selection as the fourth overall pick in the defensive backs phase of the 2020 XFL draft. He earned third-team FCS All-American and first-team All-MVFC honors in 2017 at Northern Iowa, establishing himself as a productive safety. His sustained tenure with the Miami Dolphins, where he has served as a dependable special teamer, stands as a defining feature of his professional career.
Elijah Campbell Career Wins
Elijah Campbell’s professional career has been defined more by dependable special teams play and reserve defensive contributions than by headline-grabbing win totals. His value has consistently been measured in roster reliability and on-field versatility rather than championship victories.
All-Star and Postseason Highlights
Campbell’s most significant individual accolades came during his college career, where he earned third-team FCS All-American and first-team All-MVFC recognition in 2017. At the professional level, his career has not yet produced publicly verified championship wins or postseason statistical milestones.
Other Performances
Across his stints with the Cleveland Browns, Birmingham Iron, DC Defenders, New York Jets, and Miami Dolphins, Campbell has contributed primarily on special teams. His progression from an undrafted free agent in 2018 to a multi-year contributor with the Dolphins represents the central performance narrative of his professional journey.
Elijah Campbell Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Elijah Campbell is the son of Jamal Hickman and Denna Hickman. He was born and raised in Saint Paul, Minnesota, where he attended Saint Paul Central High School and developed his athletic foundation.
Personal Life
On June 26, 2021, Campbell married his girlfriend, Anisse, in Ham Lake, Minnesota, after getting engaged in July 2019. The couple had a child on April 21, 2018, named Zakai. The Campbells own and operate several Florida-area franchises of the açaí bowl chain restaurant Nautical Bowls.
2025 Season Performance
Elijah Campbell re-signed with the Miami Dolphins on May 12, 2025, securing his place with the franchise for another season. His continued presence on the roster reflects his ongoing value as a veteran special teamer and reserve safety.
Heading into the 2025 campaign, Campbell is expected to reprise his role within the Dolphins’ special teams units while providing depth at the safety position. His experience across multiple professional football leagues gives him a broad foundation to draw from in contributing to the team’s depth chart.
As the season unfolds, Campbell’s primary objectives will be to maintain his special teams reliability and remain ready for defensive opportunities when called upon, reinforcing the role that has defined his time in Miami.