Jaylaen Higgins is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication student assigned to cover Xavier Prep for AZPreps365.com

PHOENIX – The music in Imani Campbell’s earbuds fades when the pregame huddle begins. Surrounded by her teammates, she doesn’t bark orders or point fingers. Instead, she leans in with a smile, offering a quick word of encouragement – the kind of leadership that has made the Xavier Prep senior one of the most respected voices in Arizona girls’ flag football. 

Campbell’s rise to that role didn’t happen overnight. From starting flag football at five years old on an all-girls team coached by family friends, to sharpening her skills alongside her older brother to now being the player her coach says “you have to game plan around,” Campbell has built her reputation on resilience, positivity and a relentless work ethic. For teammates and coaches alike, she’s more than just a go-to wide receiver – she’s the leader who sets the tone for the program’s culture. 

Her first taste of competition came in a family rivalry. Playing with the Pink Panthers, her team of young girls stunned opponents in an all-boys league, going undefeated for two consecutive seasons. Campbell still laughs when recalling the day she outran her cousin for a touchdown – the video still circulates at family gatherings. 

But what her family remembers most is her determination, a quality that would carry her far beyond childhood games. 

Campbell’s competitiveness didn’t stop when the game ended. At home, her older brother kept her sharp – whether it was sprints down the street, conditioning drills in the backyard or video game showdowns in the living room.

“My biggest role model is my big brother,” Campbell said.“He wasn’t the best player at first. He had to work hard, face adversity with coaches and then he balled out his last two years. He definitely shaped my competitiveness.” 

Family has been central to her story. Her aunt was her first softball coach, and her grandfather spent hours working with her on her batting.“Family support is probably the most important thing to me,” Campbell said.

“They’ve always been there, and I definitely wouldn’t be where I am without them. My mom and siblings have given up a lot for me, and that means the world.”

That foundation built a player that teammates wanted to follow. Campbell’s leadership style is quiet but intentional – more encouragement than command.

“I try to be a positive leader,” Campbell said.“Some girls lead by being strict or yelling, but I know how frustrating that can be. I’d rather lift people up and get them out of their own heads.”

Teammate Gigi Bulkley has seen it firsthand. The two seniors often face off in practice, pushing each other to improve their skills. 

“She’s exuberant, hardworking and passionate,” Bulkley said.“Even when she gets frustrated, she uses it to motivate herself and the people around her. Everybody just wants to follow in her footsteps and be exactly like her.” 

Head coach Matthew Reum said Campbell’s impact goes beyond her statistics. Having coached against her in club before arriving at Xavier, he knew she was the kind of player you had to plan for. What surprised him was everything else. 

“When you coach against her, you just see athleticism,” Reum said.“What you don’t see is the work ethic off the field, the way she inspires teammates, and how quickly she processes coaching. That’s what makes her special.” 

Her favorite moments now don’t always come from highlight catches but from helping teammates through tough games or seeing younger players respond to her encouragement. It’s the evolution from being the little girl sprinting past her cousin to the senior everyone watches for guidance.