Maize n Brew was at Wayne State University on Thursday to see 2027 Grand Rapids (Mich.) Kenowa Hills running back and Michigan commit Lundon Hampton. He finished with 14 carries for 71 yards and two touchdowns in the season opener.
Here is our in-depth analysis about his performance and where things stands regarding his commitment.
*** A parent for Kenowa Hills during pre-game called Hampton a “man amongst boys.” Reporting at 6-foot-2 and 203 pounds, Hampton looks every part of a Big Ten bound prospect.
It’s one of those situations where little effort is needed to spot his presence on the sideline or on the field. His upper half is filling out nicely that includes muscle definition, broad shoulders, and long arms. He’ll grow more in the legs under Michigan’s strength and conditioning program, but for now, the frame overall is solid.
*** His personality comes across as very even-keeled. Hampton doesn’t let things overwhelm him or not let him be in the moment. That demeanor, which results in him being in the situation at hand and letting him focus on what’s in front of him, will pay dividends for future training. I think it also sets the tone for others around him, especially his teammates. It was clear that others representing Kenowa Hills are grateful to have him stand them. Not just because of Hampton’s status, but because of who he is as an individual.
*** Kenowa Hills was outmatched against in-state powerhouse DeWitt, which was dedicated to stopping Hampton on the ground by stacking the box, calculating blitzes and maintaining control in the trenches. Still, the senior managed to put together a series of impressive runs. Hampton compiled three double-digit yard gains of 11, 15 and 17. The 15-yarder came inside the red zone where a litany of DeWitt players held on for dear life but couldn’t bring him down before he crossed the goal line. Other times, Hampton found the open hole or bounced it to the outside to move the chains. I think this opponent was an ideal test to see how he would face adversity and how hard he punches against stuff competition.
*** At the end of the day, there wasn’t anything he left on the table or more to be desired from the outing. Hampton won the Most Outstanding Player of the Game for Kenowa Hills and it was rightly deserved. As we get deeper into the season, and the team’s offensive line improves and they don’t have to rely heavily on the passing attack to make a comeback, eye-opening stat lines will follow suit for Hampton. I wouldn’t be shocked either if Hampton earns a rating bump once the recruiting cycle comes to a close.
*** As a running back, Hampton doesn’t align in stature compared to the likes of Jordan Marshall and Savion Hiter. He looks more like a safety, SAM or WILL linebacker. But you can tell Thursday why running backs coach Tony Alford and head coach Kyle Whittingham specifically wanted him as a ball-carrier. For one, attempts to tackle Hampton below the waist are insufficient due to his sheer strength. I also really that he’s a north-south kind of runner and doesn’t try to gamble in the backfield. Ball security was another part of his game I monitored on account for the pressure DeWitt put on him. Turnovers were abundant throughout the game by both schools, but none were from Hampton.
*** Hampton was limited in the passing game. Only two passes were thrown his direction and he finished with two yards. It would have been nice to see him create more in the open field, but that should change later this fall when Kenowa Hills’ offense gets into more of rhythm. He was asked to pass block on numerous occasions, especially on third down. He never let an edge rusher or blitzing inside linebacker get past him, but improvement can be made in getting pad level and bending the hips more.
*** Defensively, Hampton portrayed a rover linebacker type role against a Wing-T offense. DeWitt rarely set up a play in Hampton’s direction. But when it was his turn to come up big, he showed out. The highlight came in the first quarter on Kenowa Hills’ side of the field. Hampton came down to record the tackle for a loss, resulting in a turnover on downs. Even though DeWitt didn’t challenge Hampton much, he made his opportunities count. He also had a pass breakup on a tunnel screen in the boundary.
*** There shouldn’t be a debate about where Hampton will start off once he enrolls at Michigan. He’s going to be on the roster as a running back. I’m looking forward to seeing how he grows under Alford’s guidance and the peer mentorship of Marshall, Hiter and others. He’ll enter a room that’s loaded with knowledge which will nurture into reaching his ceiling at the next level.
*** Hampton’s focus will be to cap off his senior year on a high note, then expectations are for him to enroll early, according to his parents. Concern of him flipping elsewhere are non-existent. The opportunities that lie ahead are what drove him to Michigan in the first place and what led to his family expressing as much gratification for the school as him. His mother, father and older brother are eager to see how Hampton grows on-and-off the field.
*** Per his father, every box was checked during the recruitment process because of the effort put in by Alford and Whittingham. The two are thought of in high regards by everyone. The small community the 2027 commits and their loved ones are currently building was also brought up. Hampton said he’s becoming good friends with four-star cornerback Blake Jenkins, while his mother is in a group chat with other soon-to-be team moms. His brother, who played college football at Saginaw Valley State and Indiana Wesleyan, and is looked up to immensely by the Michigan pledge, is waiting for the day in which Hampton runs out of the tunnel at The Big House for the first time donning the winged helmet.
*** Here is a quote that stuck out to me from Hampton’s father, who grew up a star athlete in his own right in the Gus Macker basketball circuit: “All (Lundon) has proven to us so far is that he can play high school football. We’re talking about D-I, and then Big Ten, but you have the person (in Alford) who can get him there. I’m confident in that. So, we’re playing the long game. We want to learn. There’s going to be some things that he hasn’t been exposed to yet. There’s going to be a learning curve, and we understand that. But we’re more concerned with who’s teaching him, and that’s where our confidence (comes from).”
