Star Corners Sails, Hampton Want to Leave a Legacy at USF
By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer
TAMPA, AUG. 21, 2020 – Tampa's own
KJ Sails and
Mike Hampton have huge plans for their final season with the Bulls after deciding to stay in the beloved Bay.
Prior to taking their shot in the pros, USF's starting senior cornerbacks want to shut down opposing receivers and rack up takeaways at an elite level.
"This year is the year that we leave a legacy here," Sails said. "When I came here, that's we talked about – us being a duo."
Bulls fans got their first taste of what the former Team Tampa members can do together in 2019.
With their lock down skills combined, Sails and Hampton helped the Bulls lead the American Athletic Conference in pass defense (189. 5 ypg, 15
th in FBS) and red zone defense (67.4 percent, fourth nationally).
Sails had an impressive USF debut, finishing tops on the team with five takeaways, three interceptions and nine total passes defended in 12 starts. The North Carolina transfer also served as USF's primary punt returner and ended up earning All-AAC Second Team and Pro Football Focus College All-America Honorable Mention accolades.
"I'm just blessed to be here and happy to play in front of my friends and family," said Sails, who is nearing his undergraduate degree and bringing more attention to Bay talent this preseason as a
Wuerffel Trophy watch list member.
While Sails did his thing last season, Hampton started all 12 games at the other corner spot, tying with his close friend for the team lead with six pass breakups and totaling 50 tackles. An all-conference honorable mention selection in 2018, Hampton ranked ninth nationally with 18 passes defended that season, one shy of USF's top season mark. He heads into 2020 tied for the third-most career forced incompletions among returning college players with 31.
Once the 2019 season was in the books, the star corners who consider each other brothers, had a tough decision to make – remain with the Bulls, or declare for the NFL Draft.
"We sat down and talked," said Hampton. "We're excited to come back for another year (and) to get our degree."
Hampton received his Bachelor of Arts in communication in May and is currently working on another bachelor's degree in criminology. Sails is on track to graduate this fall with a Bachelor of Arts in interdisciplinary social sciences.
Jeff Scott is extremely proud of how both Bulls have represented the program since USF's new coach arrived earlier this year.
One shining example was Sails'
organization of a unity walk in downtown Tampa through the Central Park Village neighborhood to the Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church, which highlighted the important mission of social justice and positive change. Scott and several members of USF football were among nearly 400 participants in the powerful event on June 6.
"I always say, you're a champion as a person and as a team before you truly become champions on the field," Scott said.
With the Bulls now back in action, Scott's enthusiasm about his starting corners has kept increasing throughout fall camp. Each time out, big plays are being made and solid leadership is being shown by the duo.
"Individually, for guys that have aspirations to go to the NFL, my experience at places I've been, you're a pro before you ever become a pro," Scott said. "Just watching Mike and KJ, the way that they work every day, they're working like pros right now. I'm just really pleased."
The feeling is mutual for new defensive coordinator
Glenn Spencer, who is glad to have trusty Sails and Hampton playing super important roles in his multiple scheme.
"We're pretty much man-to-man 95 percent of the time, so if anything gets past us, its pretty much a touchdown," Hampton said. "We've got to be on our P's and Q's every play. We gotta play like it's our last rep."
Big responsibilities are being embraced by both confident corners who play with tons of swagger and expectations.
"We want to be in the record book as the best duo in USF history, so that's what we plan on doing," Hampton said.
About USF Football
The USF football program first took the field in 1997 and completed its 23rd season (20th at the FBS level) in 2019. The Bulls have posted 15 winning seasons, earned 14 All-America selections and 29 first-team all-conference selections and has seen 30 players selected in the NFL Draft. USF has made 10 bowl games appearances (going 6-4 in those games) and posted a program record six straight appearances from 2005-2010. The Bulls most recently made four straight bowl appearances from 2015-18 and posted back-to-back 10-win seasons in 2016 and 2017, logging a program-record 11-2 mark in 2016 while finishing both seasons ranked in the Top 25. USF spent a program record 20 straight weeks ranked in the Top 25 during the 2016 and 2017 seasons and reached as high as No. 2 in the national rankings during the 2007 season.
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