2023 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: De’Vuntray Hampton, DB, Bethune-Cookman

• Name: De’Vuntray Hampton
• Position: Defensive Back
• Height: 5’10”
• Weight: 190 lbs
• School: Bethune-Cookman University
• Level: Division I FCS – Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC)
• Twitter: iam_crunch1
• Instagram: ct___veientinueve

Talk about your experience as a student. What is your major/minor? Did you participate in any other activities or campus organizations other than football?

Major: Mass Communication with a focus on Digital Production

The HBCU experience has been great – it is like a family here. 

What do your teammates say is your best quality?

Leadership and enthusiasm – I am a big piece to the defense and always bringing a lot of energy

What kind of role do you see yourself in on the team? What scheme and/or position suits your skill set?

I am the piece that holds the defense together – I keep everyone motivated.

I’m a very versatile DB – I can be a free safety in man coverage. We run a lot of 4-2. 

Who is the best player you have ever played against in college?

Odieu Hiliare, WR, Bowling Green – used to be at Alabama A&M. One of the toughest guys I have ever guarded 

Which one of your teammates impresses you the most?

Omari Hill-Robinson, CB, he has grown a lot since freshman year. Coming off a 4 INT season. 

What makes you different from others at your position? 

I would say I’m the most versatile – I can have the same production at the cornerback and safety spots. 

Describe a time in your life when you were able to overcome a struggle.

I didn’t pass my SAT until the day before my high school graduation. I had a lot of FBS offers and it hurt me not being able to live up to a certain expectation alongside my recruitment. 

If you didn’t play football, what other sport would you play?

Track – we didn’t have it in high school but I would happily try it out. Also diving. 

What is something that you are most proud of? What would you say is your biggest achievement?

I’m the first to graduate and go to college amongst all of my siblings. I’m proud of finding an alternative to football which is photography. 

Describe one of the most memorable plays of your collegiate career.

Against FAMU, a field goal was blocked and I returned the ball 80-yards for a touchdown.

Do you have a favorite athlete or professional team? Is there a player that you model your game after?

Favorite athletes: Ed Reed and Eric Berry. Berry was the reason I wore 29 in high school.

Model my game after Kenny Moore, Tyrann Mathieu, and Budda Baker 

What gets you “pumped up” before a game?

Just thinking about where I’ve come from and all the adversity – I’ve lost a lot of friends so I am going to play for them. 4-5 friends died of gun violence, I came to the scene of a man that had been shot. 

What do you do in your spare time? Do you have any hobbies? Any secret talents?

I’ve been getting into a lot of photography and film – I want to edit music videos. I also bowl in my free time and train other defensive backs. 

Why do you play football? Who or what motivates you the most?

My motivation is my dad – he was somewhat of a football guru. I remember seeing Antwuan Smith and Janoris Jenkins in high school coming up, I wanted to be like those guys. Just being from a small town where a lot of people don’t make it out pushes me further and wants me to support them. 

What do you want NFL teams to know about you? 

I have a great character – you can ask my teachers about it. People naturally gravitate around me and towards me. You’ll notice if I’m having a bad day but it doesn’t happen often. 

Other notes: 

I started off in pop warner as a tight end and a defensive end/linebacker. I didn’t really start playing at defensive back until my sophomore year – I had always been good on offense in previous years. I wasn’t sure about the switch because I wanted to be a receiver. I was the most valuable player on my team in sophomore year. In my junior year I really started to take off, forced a lot of turnovers and that made me a great leader going into senior year. I was still kind of all over the field, just wherever they needed me depending on the game plan. I started at BCU as a true freshman and had a great game against Jackson State.