Week in and week out, Clemson Tigers star cornerback Ashton Hampton has lined up one-on-one with the opposition's best wide receiver. In the first eight games of the Tigers’ season, Hampton has already faced a couple of the best pass catchers in the ACC. This is just par for the course for the best player on Tom Allen's Clemson defense. He has really rounded into form over the last few weeks.
A little over a month ago when Clemson hosted the Miami Hurricanes, Hampton was matched up with the league’s leading receiver in every statistical category in one Malachi Toney. He came into the game with 34 receptions for 564 yards and six touchdowns in just four games. Toney had his worst performance of the season against Hampton, catching just five passes for only 40 yards.
Toney's season may be on ice for now, but he has shined in every game so far, but against Clemson.
Ashton Hampton neutralized Duce Robinson in the Florida State victory
Last week, Hampton took on the challenge of lining up against the Florida State Seminoles' 6-foot-6 star wide receiver in one Duce Robinson. The size of Robinson made Hampton’s job a bit tougher in that matchup. Robinson was able to bring in a great catch along the sideline in the first quarter with Hampton on him, but that was it. He finished the game with just two catches on the day for 31 yards.
Hampton has been a lockdown defender all season long, even when left on an island with some of the conference’s best wide receivers. He will have to do it again this weekend against the Syracuse Orange's Umari Hatcher. While it has been an up-and-down year for Syracuse, Hatcher has been a strong player throughout.
Ashton Hampton could have his hands full when taking on Umari Hatcher
The sixth-year senior has been spectacular for the Orange this season. He has the third-most receptions in the conference with 60. Hatcher also has the second-most receiving yards in the ACC with 952, as well as touchdowns with eight.
It just so happens that he is Syracuse quarterback Steve Angeli’s favorite target by far. It will be up to Hampton to slow him down. Angeli has dealt with injuries all season long, but he has been big in the Orange's back-to-back wins over the North Carolina Tar Heels and the SMU Mustangs over the last two weeks. His connection with Hatcher continues to grow with every game that they play together.
If Hampton can prevent Hatcher from being a huge factor in the passing game, it will make it so much tougher for Angeli and the Syracuse offense to generate explosive plays. Hampton currently is projected to be a first-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. He can solidify that projection and make his case to be the top corner in the draft if he can shut down another top receiver in the ACC once again.
Hampton needs to take advantage of every opportunity he has going up against a worthy adversary.
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