Harper Campbell has built his life around faith, football and service to others.
- On Friday at Niceville High School, those qualities earned the senior linebacker the 2026 Taylor Haugen Trophy, an annual award recognizing the student-athlete in Okaloosa, Walton and Santa Rosa counties who best embodies the spirit of Taylor Haugen on the field, in the classroom, in the community, in leadership and in faith.
“It’s definitely a blessing because I love what Taylor stood for and what the foundation stands for, and I’m honored to be the recipient,” Campbell said.
Taylor Haugen died in August 2008 at age 15 after sustaining an abdominal injury while playing for the Niceville football team in a preseason scrimmage against Fort Walton Beach. The 4.0 GPA student, Key Club member and Eagles football and wrestling athlete lived by a simple motto: “Don’t Quit, Never Give Up.”
His parents, Brian and Kathy Haugen, described this year’s candidate pool as extremely deep, with all 13 nominees presenting compelling cases. But Campbell’s faith ultimately set him apart.
“Just his enormous Christian faith. He wants to become a pastor, and his passion for Christ was really, really exciting,” Brian Haugen said.
- “He was a little spark of that in him, and we got to witness it, and I’m looking forward to getting to know him better,” Kathy Haugen added.
Brian Haugen also noted Campbell’s sense of humor reminded them of Taylor.
Campbell has been a four-year member of the Eagles football program, starting the past three seasons at linebacker. He developed into one of the top defensive players in the state this fall, anchoring a linebacking corps considered among Florida’s best. He was a key contributor to Niceville’s Final Four run last season and helped establish a foundation for the program’s future in coach Richard Morgan’s first year.
Morgan said Campbell was instrumental in building the culture he wanted to establish.
- “I think that Harper’s a great representative of what Taylor stood for, and I think he’s going to do a good job of carrying on that legacy,” Morgan said. “He was a leader. Whatever we were trying to do, he was always on board and getting everyone to buy in. I appreciate his efforts. He really helped the first year go smooth.”
Morgan expressed confidence in Campbell’s future at Samford, where the linebacker is committed to play.
“Samford’s getting a tremendous football player but they are getting an even better young man. He’ll be a team captain there. That’s how strong I feel about him,” Morgan said. “Everything you want in a football player, and I think they’ll be very happy.”
Niceville Principal Charlie Marello said Campbell was the clear choice from the start.
“Harper is an exceptional student-athlete, he’s a great citizen, a person of high character, person of high faith,” Marello said. “When the award nominees were coming in, we knew that even before anybody nominated anyone that Harper was probably going to be our selection.”
- “As good as he’s played, as awesome as a linebacker, as many tackles as he’s had and how many games he’s helped us win, he’s a leader of teammates,” Marello added. “Samford is getting a student-athlete leader.”
Off the field, Campbell has taken the most advanced courses offered at Niceville and volunteers as a middle school ministry leader at Crosspoint Church. He plans to study biblical studies at Samford, where his father played football and three other family members graduated.
“What stood out about them is the faith aspect and that they’re a Christian school,” Campbell said. “I’m going to study biblical studies, but football wise, my dad played there, and I had three other members of my family graduate from there.”
Campbell’s faith and a spark of Taylor’s personality won over the Haugens.
“Just his enormous Christian faith. He wants to become a pastor, and his passion for Christ was really, really exciting,” Brian Haugen said.
Campbell’s goal after his playing career is to become a pastor.
He will be honored at the annual All Sports Association FCA Prayer Breakfast on Feb. 6 and will receive a $1,000 scholarship.
The Taylor Haugen Foundation was established to honor Taylor’s memory by building and recognizing youth leaders and promoting sports safety. The organization educates players, parents and coaches on abdominal injury risks in contact sports while inspiring the next generation through recognition of faith-based student-athletes who have overcome adversity.
