Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney has dropped some effusive comments on one of his top defenders.
The Clemson Tigers should have a pretty fine defense this season, as the unit is led by three players who could potentially be first-round NFL Draft picks next April: linebacker Sammy Brown, defensive end Will Heldt and cornerback Ashton Hampton.
While Brown and Heldt have seemed to generate more buzz in draft circles, Hampton could actually end up being the best player of the bunch.
Hampton enjoyed a spectacular sophomore campaign in 2025, racking up 45 tackles, three tackles for loss, a sack, an interception and nine passes defended.
Because he played alongside of Avieon Terrell, who was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the second round back in the spring, he flew under the radar. But there is no reason the third-year defender should be overlooked anymore.
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney has made that very clear, stating he actually had to remove Hampton from practice sessions at times during the spring because of his sticky coverage on the freshman wide receivers.
Clemson Tigers cornerback Ashton Hampton. Credit: USA TODAY Network.“I'm excited to see how they (the freshmen wideouts) respond with dudes in front of them that can really give them a model, really model what it should look like when you go against Ashton,” Swinney said, via TigerNet. “Because Ashton had a field day in the spring. I mean, I almost had to take him out of practice. You know, I felt sorry for those guys.”
To be clear, junior receivers T.J. Moore and Bryant Wesco were not present in those sessions. They have been in August, though, and Swinney says that Hampton has still been outstanding regardless.
“Except Ashton,” Swinney said. “I have to make sure I give my props to Ashton, because if I don't, he'll be texting me tonight. Because he's keeping a tally, I promise you. He's keeping a tally. I had him on a pitch count today. I'm really proud of him.”
Hampton arrived at Clemson in 2024 and immediately made an impact, logging 27 tackles, a couple of picks (including a pick-six) and five passes defended.
The 6-foot-2 (some say 6-foot-3), 205-pound defensive back could very well establish himself as one of the best corners in the country this fall, and with that, he could cement his status as a Day 1 pick (or, at the very least, an early Day 2 selection) in next year's draft.
