Saquan Hampton: Leading by Example
Sep 25 | Football
Ironically, everything came into focus for Saquan Hampton on the football field when he wasn't wearing pads and a helmet.
It was 2016 and the redshirt sophomore out of Hamilton, New Jersey, had fulfilled one goal in a litany of football dreams by earning the opening day starting nod at free safety. But an injury sustained in that contest held him out of the next five games, disrupting momentum carried over from the spring of 2015, when he had been named the Douglas A. Smith Award winner as Rutgers' most improved defensive player, and the 12 games of experience as a redshirt freshman that fall.
Hampton bounced back, as resiliency became the root of a recurring theme. The injury bug bit again on the first defensive stand against Ohio State in 2017, sidelining the former Nottingham High star for the next four games.
"I go from making plays on the first two snaps under the lights at home against one of the best teams in the nation, to the locker room on the third play," said Hampton, who broke up a pass and made a tackle on those first two plays. "I thought, 'Wow, this is happening again. Why me?'"
Admittedly, the challenge of coping with pain and missed playing time was harder the second time around. But along with physical therapy, Hampton had something invaluable to get through the tough times.
"I needed the brotherhood more than anything," he said. "My teammates and coaches helped me get through it by keeping my head up and reminding me to focus on what's important. It would have been even harder without the bonds and culture that we've built here."
Hampton's work ethic on the gridiron during fall Saturdays is blatantly apparent when watching from the stands or on television. What most people don't see, is that his work off the field mirrors the tenacity that he brings on game day. This diligence is what helped Hampton return to action ahead of schedule in 2017.
It's the kind of devotion that's infectious. Hampton's history and his innate ability to lead by a positive example led to an appointment as a team captain for his senior season. Noah Joseph, Rutgers' first-year co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach, didn't necessarily need someone loud to help lead the team. He needed a living illustration of what it means to be a Scarlet Knight.
"It's the way he attacks everything we ask him to do," Joseph said. "That's how he became a leader of our group, and eventually, his hunger for knowledge and doing everything the right way inspired the entire program.
"He has a lot of pride in Rutgers football," Joseph added. "He's been through coaching changes, injuries, and he's been thrust into the fire, and he's always been better for it. He's the guy you want showing the younger players how to do that."
Love for his home state goes hand-in-hand with pride in Rutgers football. Hampton won the Central Jersey Group III championship with Nottingham High School in 2012 when he piqued the interest of Rutgers' recruiting. Following film review and an official visit, Hampton was offered to join the Scarlet Knights in their first foray into the Big Ten.
Even bigger for Hampton, he would get to do it in front of friends and family.
"There is no better feeling in the world than game day at HighPoint.com Stadium with my best friends, my former teammates and my family in the stands," Hampton said. "I just wanted to play at home in one of the best conferences in the country and get a great education. The fact that it's in my backyard really stuck with me."
Three years after making his collegiate debut in a victory over Norfolk State, Hampton says the key to success on that day, and each day leading up to the final game of his collegiate career, is sticking together as a team.
Hampton echoes the sentiments shared publicly by head coach Chris Ash. The ultimate goal in 2018 is to qualify for a bowl game and hoist a trophy after Rutgers' 13th game. The first step in that quest was for the entire program to buy into that mentality. Leaders, such as Saquan Hampton, start that conversation.
"Becoming a leader didn't happen overnight," Hampton said. "I have confidence in my abilities and our coaches believe that the best players should become the best leaders. Guys react to guys going out and making plays. When we're all on the same page, we have an opportunity to achieve something special together."
While the current emphasis is on how exactly to lift that bowl game trophy, Hampton hasn't been shy about future ambitions. Set to graduate with a degree in labor and employment relations this spring, the defensive back cannot imagine a future without football. He wants to play. He wants to coach. He wants to be around the game for as long as possible, whether it's in the NFL or mentoring younger players to follow their dreams.
When it comes to Hampton joining the 219 Rutgers brethren that have made an NFL roster, Noah Joseph said it's the same characteristics that push him to get back on the field and the same traits that inspire his teammates that will get the scouts' attention.
"He has prepared his body to stay injury free, and that takes a lot of work," Joseph said. "He has a great understanding of the game. Whether it's a practice or a walk through, he's always at game speed and in the right stance. That is going to give him the opportunity to play at the next level."
Through the ups and downs of being a college football player, Saquan Hampton has persevered. The ride has prepared him for success on any path that he travels. All the work, the studying, the pain; it affords him the ability to dictate this final chapter.
"I want my story to end in celebration with my teammates and brothers. Without them, the story wouldn't have gotten this far."
It was 2016 and the redshirt sophomore out of Hamilton, New Jersey, had fulfilled one goal in a litany of football dreams by earning the opening day starting nod at free safety. But an injury sustained in that contest held him out of the next five games, disrupting momentum carried over from the spring of 2015, when he had been named the Douglas A. Smith Award winner as Rutgers' most improved defensive player, and the 12 games of experience as a redshirt freshman that fall.
Hampton bounced back, as resiliency became the root of a recurring theme. The injury bug bit again on the first defensive stand against Ohio State in 2017, sidelining the former Nottingham High star for the next four games.
"I go from making plays on the first two snaps under the lights at home against one of the best teams in the nation, to the locker room on the third play," said Hampton, who broke up a pass and made a tackle on those first two plays. "I thought, 'Wow, this is happening again. Why me?'"
Admittedly, the challenge of coping with pain and missed playing time was harder the second time around. But along with physical therapy, Hampton had something invaluable to get through the tough times.
"I needed the brotherhood more than anything," he said. "My teammates and coaches helped me get through it by keeping my head up and reminding me to focus on what's important. It would have been even harder without the bonds and culture that we've built here."
Hampton's work ethic on the gridiron during fall Saturdays is blatantly apparent when watching from the stands or on television. What most people don't see, is that his work off the field mirrors the tenacity that he brings on game day. This diligence is what helped Hampton return to action ahead of schedule in 2017.
It's the kind of devotion that's infectious. Hampton's history and his innate ability to lead by a positive example led to an appointment as a team captain for his senior season. Noah Joseph, Rutgers' first-year co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach, didn't necessarily need someone loud to help lead the team. He needed a living illustration of what it means to be a Scarlet Knight.
"It's the way he attacks everything we ask him to do," Joseph said. "That's how he became a leader of our group, and eventually, his hunger for knowledge and doing everything the right way inspired the entire program.
"He has a lot of pride in Rutgers football," Joseph added. "He's been through coaching changes, injuries, and he's been thrust into the fire, and he's always been better for it. He's the guy you want showing the younger players how to do that."
Love for his home state goes hand-in-hand with pride in Rutgers football. Hampton won the Central Jersey Group III championship with Nottingham High School in 2012 when he piqued the interest of Rutgers' recruiting. Following film review and an official visit, Hampton was offered to join the Scarlet Knights in their first foray into the Big Ten.
Even bigger for Hampton, he would get to do it in front of friends and family.
"There is no better feeling in the world than game day at HighPoint.com Stadium with my best friends, my former teammates and my family in the stands," Hampton said. "I just wanted to play at home in one of the best conferences in the country and get a great education. The fact that it's in my backyard really stuck with me."
Three years after making his collegiate debut in a victory over Norfolk State, Hampton says the key to success on that day, and each day leading up to the final game of his collegiate career, is sticking together as a team.
Hampton echoes the sentiments shared publicly by head coach Chris Ash. The ultimate goal in 2018 is to qualify for a bowl game and hoist a trophy after Rutgers' 13th game. The first step in that quest was for the entire program to buy into that mentality. Leaders, such as Saquan Hampton, start that conversation.
"Becoming a leader didn't happen overnight," Hampton said. "I have confidence in my abilities and our coaches believe that the best players should become the best leaders. Guys react to guys going out and making plays. When we're all on the same page, we have an opportunity to achieve something special together."
While the current emphasis is on how exactly to lift that bowl game trophy, Hampton hasn't been shy about future ambitions. Set to graduate with a degree in labor and employment relations this spring, the defensive back cannot imagine a future without football. He wants to play. He wants to coach. He wants to be around the game for as long as possible, whether it's in the NFL or mentoring younger players to follow their dreams.
When it comes to Hampton joining the 219 Rutgers brethren that have made an NFL roster, Noah Joseph said it's the same characteristics that push him to get back on the field and the same traits that inspire his teammates that will get the scouts' attention.
"He has prepared his body to stay injury free, and that takes a lot of work," Joseph said. "He has a great understanding of the game. Whether it's a practice or a walk through, he's always at game speed and in the right stance. That is going to give him the opportunity to play at the next level."
Through the ups and downs of being a college football player, Saquan Hampton has persevered. The ride has prepared him for success on any path that he travels. All the work, the studying, the pain; it affords him the ability to dictate this final chapter.
"I want my story to end in celebration with my teammates and brothers. Without them, the story wouldn't have gotten this far."
Players Mentioned
DB
/ FootballDefensive Line Coach Dennis Dottin-Carter - 04/04/26
Saturday, April 04
Offensive Line Coach Jim Turner - 04/04/26
Saturday, April 04
Tight Ends Coach Scott Vallone - 04/02/26
Thursday, April 02
Defensive Coordinator Travis Johansen - 03/31/26
Tuesday, March 31
