Clemson has spent 2026 trying to figure out who can help make life easier in the passing game. On the other side of the ball, Ashton Hampton has shut down every one-on-one passing matchup he's been assigned to and he's earning the recognition he deserves for it.
ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. kept Hampton at 13th on his updated board for the 2027 NFL draft. The Clemson junior is Kiper’s second-ranked cornerback, trailing only Notre Dame star Leonard Moore.
#Clemson CB Ashton Hampton has been LOCKDOWN so far this season.
— Andy (@AndyyNFL) September 30, 2026
Super lengthy and disruptive corner with great athleticism. Could be a Top-10 pick in April at this rate. pic.twitter.com/0s7TlaPBWY
Kiper credits Hampton with 27 tackles, nine pass breakups, one interception, and three tackles for
loss through eight games. Opposing quarterbacks have gained only 2.7 yards per attempt when throwing in his direction, the seventh-lowest mark in the country.
Miami's Malachi Toney for example strolled into Clemson as a Heisman contender and finished with a season-low 40 yards, only five of which came while matched against Hampton.
Ashton Hampton had Malachi Toney IN A BOX all game long tonight.
— Rookie Watch (@RookieWatxh) October 4, 2026
Hampton allowed 3 total targets, 1 reception (8 yards), and had 2 PD’s against Toney.
The Clemson CB is one of the ONLY CB’s in HISTORY to lock up Toney like this 😳🔒 pic.twitter.com/ir4NNM16P0
Nolan Hauser also earned a place in Kiper’s rankings. He sits fourth among the combined group of kickers and punters, making him the third-ranked placekicker behind Minnesota’s Luke Drzewiecki and Texas A&M’s David Olano.
He has converted 23 of 24 field goals, leads the country in makes, and has produced 917 total yards on successful kicks. Hauser has made 13 straight and went 5-for-5 against Florida State, apparently deciding Clemson’s red-zone offense was no longer necessary.
Clemson kicker Nolan Hauser makes a 59-YARD field goal, the second-longest in program history 👀
— CFB Kings (@CFBKings) October 17, 2026
Hauser is now 14/15 on the season. pic.twitter.com/7TBtaX7Iw2
Sammy Brown narrowly missed Kiper’s five highest-ranked linebackers. He is the second player mentioned outside the top five, following Tennessee’s Arion Carter.
Brown has recorded 52 tackles, three tackles for loss, and two sacks this season. His latest sack came at Florida State, and his combination of speed and experience continues to keep him in the conversation despite less of a highlightable statistical season than the one he produced in 2025.
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This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Three Clemson stars land in ESPN Mel Kiper’s newest draft rankings
