Everybody knows that speed kills—but sometimes, it just packs up, hits the transfer portal, and heads straight for California sunshine. Mike Elko was cooking in College Station after an 8-5 season, building out a stacked transfer class, flexing a Top 15 portal haul like it’s light work. But while Elko was busy loading the offensive toolbox, one of his hidden gems—an Olympic-level speedster with gold medal track shoes—slipped right out the side door. And guess what? He isn’t going to another SEC powerhouse or even a Power Five squad.

He’s going FCS… well, for now.

Ernest Campbell, the 5’8″ lightning bolt out of Refugio, Texas, just turned the portal upside down by committing to Sacramento State. Not exactly where folks expected a four-star WR with wheels that outpaced even the Dolphins’ Devon Achane to land. But this isn’t just about playing time, it’s about building legacy—and the Hornets are playing chess in a checkerboard FCS world right now.

Campbell didn’t see much burn at Mike Elko’s A&M—just one game on special teams in a win over McNeese State. But don’t get it twisted: this one is a dawg. His 10.22-second 100-meter dash in high school beat Achane’s 10.53. He snagged two state titles in 2023 and put up a win in the 100m at the Oregon Team Invitational with the Aggies’ No. 1 ranked track squad. And don’t forget—he saved all four years of eligibility. So wherever he pops off, he’s got time to shine.

Word is, it wasn’t just about escaping a crowded WR room. The real bait? Sacramento State’s new head coach, Brennan Marion. If that name sounds familiar, it should. The former UNLV offensive coordinator developed Jordan Addison (Vikings) and Xavier Worthy (Chiefs). Campbell saw the blueprint—and said, “Bet.”

And cook he might—with Jaden Rashada tossing him the rock. Yes, the former Georgia Bulldog and blue-chip QB is also in Sac-Town. So now you’ve got a burner WR with NFL speed and a Power Five-arm at QB… at an FCS school. But this low-key isn’t really an FCS move anymore.

The SAC-12 drops $60M on Sacramento State Athletics

This Ernest Campbell flip didn’t happen in a vacuum. The Hornets aren’t just out here flipping four-stars for fun. This is part of a full-blown revolution—and it’s being bankrolled like a Silicon Valley startup.

The SAC-12—an ambitious booster collective repping Sacramento State—is throwing literal bags around. Last October, they hit their initial $50 million NIL goal. Now? They’ve crossed $60M, gunning for $75M. And this isn’t Monopoly money—they’re using it to turn Sac State into the Pac-12’s next darling. Sacramento State is headed to the Pac-12 in 2026.

A program that went 3-9 last season in the Big Sky now has a Big Pac plan—and the money to back it. With NIL deals popping off like fireworks and a brand-new, 25,000-seat stadium in the works, Sac State is turning heads and flipping narratives. The stadium, designed by the same Populous firm behind NFL cathedrals, will sit right where Hornet Stadium stands now—but with actual walls, boxes, and a vibe fit for prime time. Horseshoe design, premium seats, locker room bling—the works. It’s set to be a home for football, soccer, rugby, concerts, and big-time NCAA events. And yeah, Ernest Campbell will get to call that home.

This kind of setup doesn’t just attract players. It attracts brands. Sacramento, a top 20 media market, was always hiding in plain sight. It’s no wonder Campbell left a loaded Texas A&M WR room to take this leap. Mike Elko’s still sitting pretty with four wideouts added in the portal. But this loss stings—not because of production lost, but because of what it signals. The old rules are gone. And these Non-Power 4 upstarts with Power 5 pockets? They’re not just showing up—they’re showing out. All thanks to NIL.