Dabo Swinney Praises Freshman Ashton Hampton’s Versatility After Game-Changing Play

Clemson freshman cornerback Ashton Hampton made a sensational play Saturday in the Tigers’ 24-14 victory over Virginia Tech. 

With just under four minutes left in the third quarter, the 6-foot-2, 200-pound Tallahassee, FL native found himself in tight man-to-man coverage with Hokies second leading receiver Da'Quan Felton. The ball was a bit late from quarterback Kylon Drones and Hampton made the most of the opportunity. In a ridiculous display of athleticism, he reached back with his left hand and made a one-handed interception. 

"So basically, I'm in man coverage, chest to chest at first," recalled Hampton, a right-hander. "I turn back the other way, so I look at the ball. I see it was late, so I stuck my left hand out there trying to get a pass break up. I just grabbed it and it stuck to my hand."

The improbable grab was No. 3 on ESPN’s SportsCenter Top Ten plays.

"I was on Twitter scrolling, and then I seen somebody say it was going to be on SportsCenter," Hampton told the media Tuesday. "And I said that's kind of cool. It definitely made me happy."

The standout play came at a critical time for the Tigers and Hampton. On Virginia Tech’s prior possession, Felton, listed at 6-foot-5 and 216 pounds, leaped over Hampton for a 30-yard gain, giving the Hokies, trailing 7-14, a first down on Clemson’s 37-yard line. Asked how he managed to stay composed after that big play, Hampton said, "It was just next play mentality. At the end of the day, he's on scholarship too. He's gonna make some plays, so I made the next play."

Hampton has played in every game this season and is credited with 13 tackles, two pass breakups, and two interceptions. His first interception was returned 53 yards for a touchdown against N.C. State. 

Adjusting from a prep safety to a college cornerback, Hampton’s transition has been seamless. He said playing cornerback has always been important to him and the position is part of his roots since his father, Alonzo Hampton, the head coach at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, was a cornerback at Louisiana–Monroe and professionally for the Frankfurt Galaxy of NFL Europe with Tigers' cornerback coach Mike Reed and his older brother, A.J. Hampton Jr., played the position at Northwestern and Tulane.

Head coach Dabo Swinney explained why Hampton is such a good fit at cornerback and hinted he might shift to other positions in the secondary during his career. 

"It's his skill set, his feet. He can change direction," said Swinney on Tuesday. "He can sink his hips. He's just a great athlete.

"He gives you that unique ability to play him anywhere as he goes through his career, and you'll probably see that with him," he noted, referring to Hampton’s versatility. "I don't think he'll just be a corner throughout his football career. He's really good, but he's one of them guys that's rare that can go cover tight ends. He can play in the slot. He's got a physical presence to him."

Swinney also highlighted Hampton’s self-assurance, a trait Hampton attributes to his mother’s influence. "I think I get my confidence from my mom. My mom always instilled in me when I was younger that I was a dog. It's always been my mentality when I step on the field. Personally, I feel --  can’t nobody stop me. You gotta always have confidence, especially at a position like corner. They're gonna make plays. You got to make plays, too.

"If I make a play, I'm going to let you know I made a play," added Hampton. "And if you make a play on me, let me know, because I'm gonna come right back and give everything I got."

Hampton participated in a career-high 40 plays last week and finished with four tackles, a pass breakup, and the interception. He saw additional snaps because starter Jeadyn Lukus was banged up and starting nickelback Shelton Lewis is out indefinitely with a toe injury. According, to Swinney, Hampton is expected to remain a part of a three-man rotation at cornerback with starter Avieon Terrell and Lukus on Saturday when No. 20 Clemson (7-2, 6-1) faces Pittsburgh (7-2, 3-2).