Three-Star CB Dominique Hampton Felt Huskies Offered Best Chance at CFP
In three short years Jimmy Lake has proven more than capable of finding talent and turning players into NFL caliber defensive backs.
After visiting Colorado on July 29 three-star cornerback Dominique Hampton felt the chance to add his name to the growing list of Husky DB's in the league was too grand to pass up.
"Competing for a National Championship," Hampton said, when asked what put the Huskies over CU and Oregon, his other two finalists. The three-star corner also visited Eugene on July 25 before making his commitment.
Three Huskies heard their name called in the 2017 NFL Draft, all three second round picks; cornerback Kevin King (No. 33 overall, Green Bay Packers), safety Budda Baker (No. 36 overall, Arizona Cardinals) and cornerback Sidney Jones (No. 43 overall, Philadelphia Eagles).
Lake also played a key role in the development of 2015 first-round pick Marcus Peters, who the Kansas City Chiefs selected No. 18 overall. However, Hampton found one key element in the Huskies defensive backs coach / co-defensive coordinator that made UW feel right.
"Trust," Hampton said, "and the fact that he is going to do his best to make me the best cornerback I can be because he’s done it with other people.”
Back in June the three-star CB made the trip north to Seattle to added the Huskies first Rising Stars Camp. At the time Hampton came up without an offer from UW, hoping to showcase his skills in front of Lake and the rest of the coaching staff and earn an offer.
Hampton proved his worth during the camp and Lake came through with an offer. He released his top five on July 2, including the Huskies with Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Oregon State, with his plan to visit Boulder shortly thereafter.
Four days later Oregon offered and made Hampton take a brief pause, which included an unofficial visit, and make sure he was making the right decision. In the end Hampton felt the Huskies presented the best total package, with Lake offering high praise during his visit.
"He was telling me how I have the body and the skills to do what the corners last year were doing," Hampton said. "For me that's huge, just knowing that those three went in the second-round that’s huge.”