A remote region of the Nevada desert has long been heavily secured by the United States Air Force with trespassing strictly forbidden.

And the area of turf guarded by No. 51 of the Stamps is quickly becoming a no-fly zone, as well.

Tommie Campbell saw his first live action in Saturday’s pre-season opener against Edmonton and, although Calgary came up short on the scoreboard, the Aliquippa, Pa., native was a definite bright spot for the Red and White.

In addition to two tackles, Campbell recorded a pair of pass-breakups in one-on-one coverage off deep balls from both James Franklin and Jordan Lynch of the Esks.

“I was just doing what I was coached to do,” offered the rookie cornerback in a matter-of-fact tone. “There was one time in practice during the week when (defensive backs) coach (Kahlil Carter) told me to open up to the quarterback and have vision. I did nothing more than doing my job in that scheme and coverage, but I’ve got to find a way to come down with an interception – great players, that’s what they do.”

Standing at six-foot-three and 198 lbs., Campbell has started drawing comparisons to Patrick Watkins of the Eskimos due to his similar size and playmaking ability.

But the California University of Pennsylvania alum has modelled his game after two NFL defenders in particular who share both his stature and defensive position. One of whom – Brandon Browner – just so happened to suit up for the Stampeders from 2007-10 before then signing with Seattle.

In fact, Browner played under then-Hawks defensive coordinator Gus Bradley before the longtime coach was hired away in 2013 to lead the Jacksonville Jaguars, the team with which Campbell would play seven games the following season.

“I used to watch Nnamdi Asomugha and actually Brandon Browner who’s with the Seahawks,” Campbell specified. “I was in the same defensive scheme as him when I was in Jacksonville. I’ve watched those guys and seen how they use their bodies on routes, see how they drop (into coverage) and things like that.”

Campbell attended the University of Pittsburgh from 2005-06 before suiting up for Edinboro in 2007. He then spent two years away from the game until playing his senior season with the Cal U Vulcans, which all preceded a phone call from the Tennessee Titans when they selected him in the seventh round of the 2011 NFL Draft.

Now at 28 years of age, Campbell was asked if he views his 44 games of NFL experience as added value over his fellow first-year teammates, many of whom are fresh out of the NCAA or CIS ranks.

“Without a doubt,” stated Campbell. “Anytime you’re playing at a high level whether it’s the NFL or CFL, in terms of years, you always want to have an advantage. So I’ve just come up here and I’m ready to work and doing anything to help the team win.”

And in terms of his plan from here on out, the fact that Campbell is striving to keep opposing receivers in constant lockdown-mode is far from top-secret information.

“That’s what you play the game for,” he asserted. “Ultimately, it’s to compete and that’s what I live for. Every day I want to wake up and I want to compete and be the best that I can be.”