CLEMSON — Dabo Swinney sent a clear message to his Clemson football team ahead of fall camp.
The longtime head coach loudly proclaimed that heading into camp, there are no starters at any position. And the veterans expected to be starters are embracing that challenge, including junior cornerback Ashton Hampton, who is meeting it head-on.
“What you have done in the past, that does not matter,” Hampton said.
“Every day that we go out there, we have to prove it. Every day is game day, and every play is a game day play.”
While Hampton has been on the receiving end of a lot of draft hype throughout the offseason, that is not what is on the forefront of his mind. His focus is on helping the Tigers’ pass defense rebound from what was a fairly disappointing 2025 season.
“Every time that we step on the field, we are trying to prove it to ourselves, teammates, coaching staff, everybody,” Hampton added. “To what coach Swinney said about us having no starters, he is 100% correct. On either side of the ball. Everybody has to go out there and prove it, no matter what. No matter if you have been here four years, five years, or if you are just a true freshman. It does not matter who goes out there. You’ve got to prove it, no matter what.”
Hampton was one of two corners named to the All-ACC preseason team, joining Syracuse’s Chris Peal. With Aveion Terrell now gone, Hampton now becomes one of the longest-tenured players in Mike Reed’s room, and he’s determined to help the backend of the Clemson defense get back to playing to the standard.
“I feel like the torch has been passed to me to be that next great leader,” Hampton said. “So, every time I go out there and every practice and every meeting, I’m trying to make sure that I’m taking the initiative and make sure I’m being intentional.
“I’m trying to make sure I’m the person up on the hill. I’m trying to push my teammates, trying to communicate with everybody and make sure I’m on the same page, and just make sure we all have the same goal of what we’re trying to accomplish.”