Hampton Poised for Big Season with Custom Role, Most UW Games Played
Looking at it this way, every University of Washington football player inherited by Kalen DeBoer's staff a year ago pretty much had to adjust his game and approach to fit a new system except for one guy.
Dominique Hampton.
The new coaches instead accommodated him, introducing the veteran defensive back to a position made to order for a 6-foot-3, 221-pound specimen such as him who can hit and run.
Hampton became the Huskies' Husky, a hybrid linebacker and coverage guy who by all accounts held up better than most in a secondary repeatedly victimized over the top or felled by lengthy injury.
He appeared in 12 games and started 11, playing more than any other defensive back last season with the exception of safety Alex Cook, who didn't miss an outing or a game-opening assignment during the 11-2 season before finishing his career.
Hampton handled his run-game responsibilities in a responsible fashion, finishing seventh on the team in tackles with 42. After a couple of costly late-hit penalties in 2021, he was much more in control without losing any of his aggressiveness.
"Playing Husky is like a physical game and I can cover," he said. "It's a mixture of both worlds."
In terms of coverage, the Arizona native tied for the team lead in pass break-ups with 4, amazingly sharing this distinction with defensive tackle Tuli Letuligasenoa, he of the arms-raised-at-all-times pass rush.
Hampton got beat deep just once when Oregon sent a 46-yard touchdown pass over his head in Eugene, from Bo Nix to receiver Dont'e Thompson early in the second half of the UW's 37-34 victory.
He finally found a comfortable position home as the hybrid Husky following earlier trials at cornerback and safety, and became a full-time starter for the first time.
Entering his sixth season at the UW, he should be ready for more of a breakout performance. Experience is no longer a factor with him.
Note that Hampton has appeared in 42 career Husky games, more than any other returning player on a seasoned football roster, with Letuligasenoa next with 41 outings, followed by defensive tackle Ulumoo Ale with 40, tight end Devin Culp with 39 and safety Asa Turner and edge rusher Zion Tupuola-Fetui with 36 games each.
He has a custom-made position, more game time than anyone else on the UW roster and every reason to thrive in his swan song season.
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