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USF Football: 5 breakout players to watch in 2018

By Ryan T. Smith

BIRMINGHAM, AL - DECEMBER 23: Head coach Charlie Strong of the South Florida Bulls gathers his team around the championship trophy following the Birmingham Bowl against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Legion Field on December 23, 2017 in Birmingham, Alabama. South Florida won 38-34. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
BIRMINGHAM, AL - DECEMBER 23: Head coach Charlie Strong of the South Florida Bulls gathers his team around the championship trophy following the Birmingham Bowl against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Legion Field on December 23, 2017 in Birmingham, Alabama. South Florida won 38-34. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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BIRMINGHAM, AL – DECEMBER 23: Ronnie Hoggins #19 and Devin Abraham #20 of the South Florida Bulls celebrate in the second half of the Birmingham Bowl against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Legion Field on December 23, 2017 in Birmingham, Alabama. South Florida won 38-34. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
BIRMINGHAM, AL – DECEMBER 23: Ronnie Hoggins #19 and Devin Abraham #20 of the South Florida Bulls celebrate in the second half of the Birmingham Bowl against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Legion Field on December 23, 2017 in Birmingham, Alabama. South Florida won 38-34. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Hampton had a strong spring in 2017 as a redshirt freshman, and earned playing time early in the season as the USF secondary recovered from injuries. That his playing time dwindled as the season progressed had less to do with his play and more to do with the talented upperclassmen in front of him.

Still, Hampton saw action in all 12 games and posted 11 tackles, including a career-high three in the Birmingham Bowl against Texas Tech. With star corner Deatrick Nichols off the NFL, a starting spot in the Bulls’ secondary is up for grabs, and Hampton might be best positioned to take it.

Even if he doesn’t make his way into the starting lineup (he could, in fact, be beaten out by the next player on this list), USF’s base defense involves five defensive backs, so there will almost certainly be playing time to be had. As it stands, though, he’s probably the most likely option to line up alongside senior Mazzi Wilkins at corner for the Bulls’ opener as stud senior Ronnie Hoggins moves to the nickel back position.

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