Tulane transfer A.J. Hampton brings right mix to cornerback position

Despite the presence of a returning starter in Jarius Monroe and at the cornerback spot, Tulane rightly surmised that there’s always room for an experienced, lockdown cover man with NFL potential.

A.J. Hampton arrived via the transfer portal this offseason, bringing with him 44 game appearances with 19 starts under his belt from his time at Northwestern University. He has recorded 105 career tackles, 21 passes broken up and a pair of interceptions on the college level. His 13 passes defended in 2021 was tied for top Big Ten season honors in that category.

The former three-star prospect out of Wharton High School in Tampa, Florida originally committed to the Toledo Rockets before opting for Northwestern in the 2019 signing class.

When Hampton entered the transfer portal, the graduate in communications with a minor in sociology had an idea for what he considered the ideal landing spot. When he visited the Tulane campus and explored head coach Willie Fritz’s program, the light bulb come on brightly.

“I loved everything about Northwestern. I was a grad student. I just really wanted to challenge myself, to be around good competition. Not saying we didn’t have any at Northwestern, but I recognized the winning culture they had at Tulane. That was something that I wanted to be a part of. Especially on my visit, they made me feel at home. I could tell that everyone wanted to win here. I could see it in the locker room. Everyone is connected. There are no small groups on this team. It’s one big group.”

Even before the offseason turmoil that led to a recent head coaching change at Northwestern, things has taken a downturn on the field for the Wildcats. The losses had piled up the past two seasons in Evanston but there has been some top-notch talent in the program.

Hampton shared the defensive backfield with a talented collection of players which included Greg Newsome II, a cornerback taken in the first round of the Cleveland Browns in 2021, and Brandon Joseph, an undrafted safety who signed with the Detroit Lions this spring.

As for Hampton as a persona and teammate, he has always looked to be a positive trend setter and a good example in the locker room.

“I try to do everything perfectly and be the ideal leader,” he told the Wildcat Report. That attitude appears to have followed him to his new location in New Orleans.

Hampton quickly recognized that there is an esprit de corps cultivated on the Willow Street campus. It was just the atmosphere he was seeking as a transfer.

“I’m stepping into a culture. This is family,” he stated. “This is truly family. Everyone on this team talks to each other. The first day that I walked in, I had six guys welcome me, telling me they’re glad I’m here. Going to all the meetings, the team camaraderie, everyone is cracking jokes. But when we get on the field, we work hard. Right before practice we do a little breakdown, give each other high five and a hug. We do the same at the end of practice. That’s not anything I’ve ever done before. That’s the true meaning of this team. That’s all respect to Coach Fritz and to this team. It’s a great culture.”

In the 2022 meeting between Northwestern and Ohio State, Hampton was tasked with having to cover the explosive Emeka Egubuka who finished that season with 74 grabs for 1,151 yards and 10 touchdowns. Hampton limited him to just a pair of catches for six yards.

“We played Ohio State three times while I was at Northwestern,” Hampton recalled.” Northwestern was never expected to win. I always liked playing with that chip on my shoulder. We were always the underdog there. I really like those types of games. No one really believed in us, but we believed in ourselves.”

In the 2020 Big Ten championship game, the Wildcats faced off with Ohio State. The Buckeyes were loaded with talent, starting quarterback Justin Fields and a trio of receivers who were first round choices in the 2022 NFL Draft (Chris Olave’, Garrett Wilson and Jameson Williams) plus Seahawks 2023 first round pick Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

Even though the Buckeyes prevailed 22-10, Northwestern were in the game until the late going. The Wildcats then rebounded with a statement 35-19 win over Auburn in the 2021 Citrus Bowl.

“I went into those types of games just like every game. Always prepared, working on my technique. It’s me trusting myself,” said Hampton.

His acumen for man coverage has always shown well on the college level. Hampton gets his hands on receivers quickly and mirrors well throughout routes. He is nimble enough to extend his arm on the receiver’s shoulder pad and then flawlessly switch to his other arm hooked around the receiver’s waist without showing interference. The blend of physicality and confidence serves Hampton well.

Hampton appears most comfortable in press coverage. He comes off of his backpedal and quickly adjusts to underneath routes. Quick to get his head around, his instincts, footwork and balance are all on point. Hampton feels comfortable defending a wideout or accounting for the slot receiver.

“I love man coverage because of my speed. One thing that I had to work on in the Big Ten was my off-man. Once you develop your off-man skills, that is crucial. Sometimes you can’t press because of down and distance. You’ve got to read the stem, read his hips, drive low out of your break. When I get tired and fatigued, the technique is down the drain,” analyzed Hampton. “I like to bump and run because I’m right there in the hip pocket. I talk a little trash, but it’s all good. I just like to be competitive.”

Two players he has modeled his style after early in his career were All-Americans at LSU.

“You can learn from everyone, whether it’s good or bad. That has been my mentality. But I used to love watching Patrick Peterson and Tyrann Mathieu,” Hampton said.

The 5-foot-11, 180-pound prospect with 4.46 speed has managed to combine his physical and mental skills, along with being a strong proponent of the film room.

“I feel like my ability is natural but the knowledge of the game comes from film study. Also being on the field, sometimes you get burned. Sometimes you learn. I thank God for all of my abilities. I do have to use my brain to know what to expect.”

A.J. Hampton brings the right combination of physical and mental aspects of the game and his position to a Tulane program on the rise. The plan to to elevate even higher together in 2023.