Saquan Hampton gaining traction

Saquan Hampton gaining traction

There are a select few college football programs that have earned the title of “Football Factory.” This means that these colleges have earned a reputation at churning out a good portion of NFL-level talent every year. Schools like Alabama, Clemson, USC, Ohio State, & Oklahoma have risen to the top of that moniker in recent years, with some of them even specializing in churning out talent at specific positions (Clemson & Alabama: offensive/defensive linemen, USC: Running backs, Oklahoma: Quarterbacks, etc.).

Despite a relatively low sample size, Rutgers has become one of those specialized “football factories,” even if the program has fallen on tough times. The offense may be a mess, coaching & recruiting has been questionable, and the fan base is growing tired of being a laughing stock. But there has always been one bright spot for the Scarlet Knights throughout the years, and that is the defense. More specifically, the secondary.

Names like Duron Harmon, Logan Ryan, Devin & Jason McCourty have given Rutgers a respectable standing among NFL scouts. Combined, those four have won six Super Bowls. Granted, they were all on the same team (New England Patriots) when they earned them, but the point still stands. Rutgers has done a good job producing quality talent at the defensive back position, and this year, they’ll be churning out another high-end talent in senior safety Saquan Hampton.

Hampton, a born and raised Jersey kid from Hamilton, NJ, has always been a steady hand for a tumultuous Rutgers squad since joining the Scarlet Knights in 2015. His 6’1, 209-pound frame has made him a force down the middle of the field. During a 2017 that saw multiple Knights hit IR, Hampton remained a steady & flexible presence as a safety & cornerback.

In 2018, Senior Bowl Executive Director Jim Nagy was blown away by Hampton’s 10 tackle, two interception performance against Wisconsin in week nine.

“The other aspect of Hampton’s game that stood out last week was his deep field instincts,” Nagy said. “Scouts determine where to project safeties, either free or strong, based on where they look most natural playing and Hampton looks most comfortable in the middle of the field.  Some guys have a feel for routes and Hampton consistently put himself in the position to make plays."

Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller named Hampton as one of the 2019 NFL Draft’s Biggest Winners from the East-West Shrine Game, naming Hampton an early Day 3 draft selection. But Miller had a slight concern on Hampton’s hand size, believing it will bring down his draft grade.

Millers says, “While Hampton has a good frame at 6'1" and 204 pounds, one scout expressed concern with his hand size—which is important for not only catching the ball but also effectively jamming receivers at the line of scrimmage. Hampton's 8 ¾" hands are below the nine-inch standard set by most scouts. That sounds like a small gripe, but it's something teams will note, and it could affect his draft grade.”

-By: Juan Pablo Guarin-Camargo