As frustrating as this season has been at times for Clemson, there are a few star players on this team who could pick up some hardware during awards season. One of them would obviously be star cornerback Ashton Hampton. He is among the 15 semifinalists for the Jim Thorpe Award, which is handed out to the best defensive back in the country. Hampton faces stiff competition for the honor.
Here are the 15 semi-finalists for the Jim Thorpe Award heading into the second half of the season.
- Louisville Cardinals safety Kaleb Beasley
- Georgia Bulldogs safety KJ Bolden
- Oklahoma Sooners safety Peyton Bowen
- New Mexico Lobos safety Austin Brawley
- Kentucky Wildcats safety Jordan Castell
- Miami Hurricanes safety Bryce Fitzgerald
- Northwestern Wildcats safety Robert Fitzgerald
- Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns safety Brent Gordon Jr.
- Clemson Tigers cornerback Ashton Hampton
- UCLA Bruins safety Ta'Shawn James
- California Golden Bears safety Kingston Lopa
- Houston Cougars cornerback Jalen Mayo
- Ohio State Buckeyes safety Jaylen McClain
- Notre Dame Fighting Irish cornerback Leonard Moore
- Texas Tech Red Raiders cornerback Brice Pollock
So far this season, Clemson has gone up against two of the other finalists in ACC play: Miami Hurricanes safety Bryce Fitzgerald and California Golden Bears safety Kingston Lopa. While both are excellent players, the guy who may be Hampton's stiffest competition is Notre Dame Fighting Irish cornerback Leonard Moore, who is widely viewed as CB1 in the 2027 NFL Draft. Hampton is CB2 or 3.
2026 Jim Thorpe award, going to the best DB in CFB, released its semifinalist list and included Clemson corner Ashton Hampton: pic.twitter.com/qdYV8Af5OE
— Jackson Castellano (@jaxacastellano) October 27, 2026
Ashton Hampton has taken his game to amazing heights under Tom Allen
This season, Hampton has 25 combined tackles and three tackles for loss over seven games. He also has nine pass breakups and an interception on the campaign. Part of why Clemson has been so tenacious on defense has been Hampton's ability to shut down his side of the field. He had a sensational tackle for a loss of yardage in the first half on Luke Reynolds versus Virginia Tech.
It is only fitting that Hampton tends to save his best for games when Clemson does not win. His lone interception came early on in the LSU blowout. His best individual performance came against Miami when he neutralized Malachi Toney in the Hurricanes' passing game. Clearly, Hampton emerged as the on-field leader Tom Allen was hoping for in the Clemson secondary. The NFL has taken notice.
While Hampton probably wanted to finish his Clemson career with another trip to the College Football Playoff, it was simply not in the cards for the Tigers this year. The offense has been pathetic, as the 2026 Clemson team oddly mirrors the 2023 Iowa Hawkeyes. Thankfully, Clemson has been able to win games with great defense, outstanding special teams, and the occasional rushing touchdown.
Right now, it is a foregone conclusion that Clemson's three biggest defensive stars in Hampton, linebacker Sammy Brown and edge rusher Will Heldt, will all declare for the 2027 NFL Draft. Brown could be up for the Butkus, much like kicker Nolan Hauser may be up for the Groza. That being said, Dabo Swinney and Chad Morris played their part in wasting a fantastic Clemson defense this season.
If Hampton brings home the hardware, it will serve as a reminder of what this team could have been.
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