Junior Clemson cornerback Ashton Hampton starts his third season with the same driven attitude he showed in the spring. Each day feels like an audition, every play a chance to show his value — as if he’s not one of the top 2027 NFL Draft hopefuls but still fighting to stay on the roster.
A work ethic that stands out
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney remembers how Hampton dominated during spring drills so much he had to intervene. I felt sorry for those guys,' Swinney said. In 2025, Hampton had 11 pass breakups and an interception, earning a spot among the ACC's best defenders.
Hampton, who sees himself as the next big leader, challenges himself and his teammates with a level of focus that goes beyond the field. 'Every day is game day,' he said.
Clemson's tradition of top cornerbacks
Clemson has become a launching pad for defensive backs in recent years. Nate Wiggins was chosen in the first round in 2024, A.J. Terrell was taken in the first round in 2020, and Andrew Booth Jr. landed in the second round in 2022. Hampton is aiming to join their ranks and take on a leadership role.
He wants to lead by action, communication and consistency. 'I'm trying to push my teammates, trying to communicate with everybody and make sure we all have the same goal.'
New hope for a new year
Clemson begins 2026 with a chance to bounce back from a 7-6 season that didn't meet expectations. The Tigers started the year at No. 23 in the US LBM Coaches Poll and were picked fourth in the ACC preseason rankings. Their first game is Sept. 5 at LSU, where new head coach Lane Kiffin will make his first appearance.