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USF DB Mike Hampton Named to Thorpe Award Watch List

The #BayMade junior corner get some preseason recognition.

By Nick Simon
Connecticut v South Florida Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

#WatchListSZN continued for USF football on Monday when junior defensive back Mike Hampton was named to the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Watch List.

Named for the legendary Jim Thorpe, the award is given annually to the nation’s top defensive back. Hampton becomes the second Bull this offseason to be named to a watch list after tight end senior Mitchell Wilcox was tabbed for the Mackey Award last week.

Hampton took full advantage of his first shot at being a full-time starter last season, recording 43 tackles (two for loss), two interceptions and one sack on the way to earning All-AAC Honorable Mention as a sophomore. His 18 passes defensed and 16 pass breakups were both the second most any USF DB had recorded in a single season.

He is one of four AAC defensive backs to make the list, including Memphis’ TJ Carter, UCF’s Richie Grant and Cincinnati’s James Wiggins.