5’10” – 202 lbs. – 4.50e

STATISTICAL PROFILE:

2010: Redshirt
2011: 14 – 0.0 – 0.0, 3 PD, 1 INT
2012: 40 – 3.0 – 1.0, 6 PD, 1 INT

OVERVIEW:

Redshirted in 2010, then was briefly dismissed from the team in 2011 before working his way onto the field as a part-time kick returner and reserve cornerback. Started twelve of thirteen games in 2012, with the lone non-start coming as a result of South Carolina’s goal-line formation. Won the team’s “Everyday Attitude and Hustle Award” in 2012 and 2013.

POSITIVES:

•    Overall height and speed are adequate for the position, with a muscular build.
•    Started for the Gamecocks for two years, with escalating production in each.
•    Plays with a certain swagger; exhibits a physical, aggressive on-field temperament.
•    Confident player with a short memory, recovers well after allowing a completion.
•    Has been asked to play man coverage, zone coverage, and shuffle technique.
•    Pattern-recognition skills are good, remembers routes from earlier in the game.
•    Willing run defender who remembers to wrap up rather than going for the big hit.
•    Does a good job of shedding blocks from receivers on screens and running plays.
•    Strength and physicality allows him to play against taller receivers despite height.
•    Typically plays cornerback but has also lined up as more of a safety on occasion.
•    Rebounded from previous character concerns to receive recognition from coaches.

NEGATIVES:

•    Attended four different high schools, was dismissed from the Gamecocks in 2011.
•    Reportedly has had academic problems which may have contributed to dismissal.
•    Has decent ball skills but doesn’t actually come down with too many interceptions.
•    A little bit more instinctive in man coverage than he is in zone, takes some false steps.
•    Tends to defend the sidelines, can be susceptible to slants and crossing patterns.
•    Benefited from playing on a team with an excellent group of pass rushers on the line.
•    Considered something of a freelancer who could play with more consistent discipline.

SUMMARY:

Hampton is somewhat difficult to analyze because, while he possesses adequate physical tools for a starting cornerback and seems to check out mentally in terms of his confidence, physicality, pattern-recognition, and ability to recover from mistakes, there are also some aspects of his past which will require further investigation. However, based exclusively on his film, he has the look for a potential starter, most likely as a team’s second option, who can do a little bit of everything on the field and doesn’t have any glaring weaknesses in his game.