Saquan Hampton to be big part of Rutgers' future

The second season as a starting safety is now behind Rutgers third-year sophomore Saquan Hampton and he looks to be a big part of the team’s future at the position. It was an injury-riddled season that limited Hampton to seven games, although he made the most of that tim, corralling 46 tackles on the season.

“It was frustrating but I just have to stay focused. God has a plan for everything. I am just also helping other guys out,” Hampton said. “We are excited about the secondary. We have a lot of young guys coming up and next year we have to lead the unit and be the unit that Rutgers has been known for.”

Looking ahead to next season, Hampton is ready to take on more of a leadership role.

“That is something that [defensive backs] coach [Bill] Busch is pushing me to do, to lead the secondary,” Hampton said. “I feel like I could be the guy to do that. I feel like I have been here a while. Sometimes I have to remind myself that I still have two years left.”

Coming into Rutgers as part of the recruiting class of 2014, Jampton was a 190-pound cornerback out of Nottingham High School in Nottingham, N.J.

“It all kind of correlates in a way. The biggest adjustment from corner to safety was just coming downhill. I was used playing on the outside at corner,” Hampton said. “Right now, I am good size. I am 205 [pounds] but I want to get a little bigger over the offseason.”

This past season was a rough one for Hampton and company, yet he is positive about the team’s outlook for the future.

“The coaching staff, the way they work us in the off season is second to none,” Hampton said. “I feel like we have a great coaching staff and everybody just has to buy in. I feel like next year, there will be a lot of improvements.”

For more on the Rutgers safety situation, check out our latest Scarlet Slant.