This Clemson Tigers star just received a significant NFL Draft prediction.
By now, you know that Clemson Tigers cornerback Ashton Hampton is viewed as a potential first-round talent heading into the 2026 college football season.
But just how high could Hampton possibly go in the NFL Draft next spring?
Some view the junior defender as a borderline Day 1 pick, while others feel he is more likely to be an early second-rounder, much like Avieon Terrell last year.
However, ESPN's Jordan Reid clearly has higher expectations for Terrell, predicting him to get selected 19th overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in April 2027.
"The Bucs have been reloading their defense with younger players, but cornerback is a position that could be worth addressing in 2027. Benjamin Morrison was inconsistent as a rookie last season after being drafted in the second round, and Zyon McCollum had a disappointing injury-filled campaign," Reid wrote. "If McCollum struggles to regain his pre-injury form, then Hampton could take his place. He's a big, physical corner at 6-foot-2, 205 pounds who thrives in man coverage."
Clemson Tigers cornerback Ashton Hampton. Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images.This is one of the highest projections I've seen for Hampton yet, and it speaks volumes about the third-year star heading into the fall.
To be quite frank, Hampton may have been Clemson's best cornerback last year, finishing with 45 tackles, three tackles for loss, a sack, an interception and nine passes defended.
Of course, the 20-year-old lived in the shadow of Terrell, who played opposite him and ended up going No. 48 overall to the Atlanta Falcons a few months ago.
There is no doubt that Terrell was very good, but Hampton could be the superior player.
Hampton definitely has the better physical tools, while Terrell was a nasty, scrappy cornerback at the point of attack, a legitimate argument could be made that Hampton is actually smoother in coverage.
The Tallahassee, Fl. native arrived at Clemson in 2024 and immediately made an impact, registering 27 tackles, a couple of picks (including a pick-six) and five passes defended.
He flew under the radar in each of his first two years with the Tigers, but now, he is finally starting to gain some serious recognition.
Hopefully, Hampton has a great junior campaign and does not go in the same direction of former Clemson defenders like Peter Woods and T.J. Parker, who were severe disappointments during their final season with the program in 2025.
