Photo by: Chamberlain Smith/MSU Athletics
Hampton settling in on defense
August 30, 2021 | Football
STARKVILLE – Jay Hampton jumped onto Mississippi State's recruiting radar as a first team All-State selection as a wide receiver at Amory High School last season.
But what finally prompted the Bulldogs to offer Hampton was when he switched sides to defense during practices for the Bernard Blackwell All-Star Game. And in less than 24 hours after receiving that offer, Hampton signed a national letter of intent to play cornerback at MSU.
"I made my mind up quick because it's close to home," Hampton said. "I felt like family around here because I've been here so many times, so it wasn't hard to decide."
Hampton hauled in 50 passes for 1,066 yards and 11 touchdowns his senior year with the Panthers and but only played sparingly in the secondary. However, his high school coach Allen Glenn felt like defense would be the 6-foot-2, 175-pounder's ideal fit in college.
"I just kind of knew in the back of my mind that at the next level his best chance was to play in the secondary," said Glenn, who is now the head coach at Petal High School. "He's just kind of what those guys are looking for now, those long, physical corners. I think they're getting a guy that in time can be a special player."
Hampton's transformation into a defensive back has continued into fall camp under the tutelage of cornerback coach Darcel McBath. He is also being shown the ropes by two of the nation's top corners – Martin Emerson and Emmanuel Forbes.
"You've just got to learn the fundamentals," Hampton said. "Once you get the fundamentals down, everything is straight. And if you don't have the plays down, you won't play."
Hampton is also adapting to the amount of effort required of him each play at practice to be able to excel at this level. He can no longer rely on his athletic ability alone the way he could in high school.
"It's way different," Hampton said. "You've got to work every day. If you don't, you're on the sidelines with the scouts."
With the ball flying around as much as it does in Mike Leach's Air Raid offense, Hampton and the rest of the defensive backs get plenty of chances to practice their pass coverage. And when the ball is in the air, that's when Hampton's experience as a receiver kicks into gear.
"It's the very same concept," Hampton said. "It's a little different, but not much."
Hampton was able to showcase those receiver skills during the Bulldogs' second scrimmage when he intercepted a pass and returned it for a potential pick-6 before the play was blown dead.
Football isn't the only sport Hampton stood out in at Amory. He also lettered in track and field, competing in both the 100 meters and 4x100 meters relay.
"He's a guy that can really, really run," Glenn said. "He's a long, rangy guy. He was a wideout for us primarily at Amory and a deep threat. We were able to push the ball downfield vertically with him."
But what finally prompted the Bulldogs to offer Hampton was when he switched sides to defense during practices for the Bernard Blackwell All-Star Game. And in less than 24 hours after receiving that offer, Hampton signed a national letter of intent to play cornerback at MSU.
"I made my mind up quick because it's close to home," Hampton said. "I felt like family around here because I've been here so many times, so it wasn't hard to decide."
Hampton hauled in 50 passes for 1,066 yards and 11 touchdowns his senior year with the Panthers and but only played sparingly in the secondary. However, his high school coach Allen Glenn felt like defense would be the 6-foot-2, 175-pounder's ideal fit in college.
"I just kind of knew in the back of my mind that at the next level his best chance was to play in the secondary," said Glenn, who is now the head coach at Petal High School. "He's just kind of what those guys are looking for now, those long, physical corners. I think they're getting a guy that in time can be a special player."
Hampton's transformation into a defensive back has continued into fall camp under the tutelage of cornerback coach Darcel McBath. He is also being shown the ropes by two of the nation's top corners – Martin Emerson and Emmanuel Forbes.
"You've just got to learn the fundamentals," Hampton said. "Once you get the fundamentals down, everything is straight. And if you don't have the plays down, you won't play."
Hampton is also adapting to the amount of effort required of him each play at practice to be able to excel at this level. He can no longer rely on his athletic ability alone the way he could in high school.
"It's way different," Hampton said. "You've got to work every day. If you don't, you're on the sidelines with the scouts."
With the ball flying around as much as it does in Mike Leach's Air Raid offense, Hampton and the rest of the defensive backs get plenty of chances to practice their pass coverage. And when the ball is in the air, that's when Hampton's experience as a receiver kicks into gear.
"It's the very same concept," Hampton said. "It's a little different, but not much."
Hampton was able to showcase those receiver skills during the Bulldogs' second scrimmage when he intercepted a pass and returned it for a potential pick-6 before the play was blown dead.
Football isn't the only sport Hampton stood out in at Amory. He also lettered in track and field, competing in both the 100 meters and 4x100 meters relay.
"He's a guy that can really, really run," Glenn said. "He's a long, rangy guy. He was a wideout for us primarily at Amory and a deep threat. We were able to push the ball downfield vertically with him."
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