Nick Hampton Bio
Nicholas Hampton is an American professional football linebacker who plays in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Appalachian State Mountaineers before beginning his professional career with the Los Angeles Rams, who selected him in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL draft. After three seasons in Los Angeles, Hampton signed with the Carolina Panthers in March 2026. He is recognized for his pass-rushing ability developed during a productive college career in the Sun Belt Conference.
Born on April 5, 2000, in Anderson, South Carolina, Hampton rose from a productive high school defender to a draft pick on one of the NFL’s most active defensive lines. Listed at 6 feet 3 inches and around 251 pounds, he has built his professional résumé as a depth contributor and rotational edge rusher, with his role continuing to expand into the postseason and beyond.
Early Life and Background
Nicholas Hampton was born and raised in Anderson, South Carolina, a community in the upstate region of the state with a strong tradition of high school football. He attended Westside High School in Anderson, where he played on the defensive line and quickly became one of the area’s most productive defenders. During his junior season at Westside, Hampton recorded 63 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, and seven sacks, numbers that drew the attention of college recruiters across the Southeast.
Coming out of Westside High School, Hampton was rated as one of the more promising defensive prospects in South Carolina. His combination of size, quickness, and pursuit to the football made him a priority target for several college programs. After completing his high school career, he committed to Appalachian State University, a program with a strong reputation for developing defensive talent and producing NFL-caliber edge rushers.
Hampton’s upbringing in Anderson and his development at Westside provided the foundation for his future at the college level. The work ethic and physical style he displayed in high school translated directly to the demands of college football in the Sun Belt Conference.
Path to American Football
Hampton’s path to the NFL began in earnest when he enrolled at Appalachian State in 2018. As a true freshman, he appeared in three games while preserving a redshirt season, allowing him to develop physically without burning a year of eligibility. The plan gave him time to adjust to the speed and complexity of the college game while preparing for a larger role in the years ahead.
During his redshirt freshman season, Hampton recorded 42 tackles and three sacks, establishing himself as an emerging contributor on the Mountaineers’ defensive front. He continued to progress in subsequent seasons, and by his redshirt junior year, he had become one of the most disruptive edge defenders in the Sun Belt Conference. That season, he finished with 69 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, and 11 sacks, earning third-team All-Sun Belt honors.
Hampton’s senior campaign cemented his status as an NFL prospect. His production, combined with his size and motor, led to First-team All-Sun Belt recognition in 2022. Following the conclusion of his college career, he declared for the 2023 NFL draft and was selected by the Los Angeles Rams with the 161st overall pick in the fifth round.
Nick Hampton Career
Early Career (2023–2025)
Nicholas Hampton began his professional career with the Los Angeles Rams after being selected in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL draft. As a rookie, he appeared in 10 games and contributed four total tackles along with one pass deflection, working primarily in a rotational role on the defensive line. His first season was focused on adjusting to the speed of the professional game while earning the trust of the Rams’ coaching staff.
In 2024, Hampton appeared in 14 games and recorded three total tackles and a pass defense, though he did not appear in any playoff games for Los Angeles that year. He continued to develop as a depth piece along the Rams’ defensive front, contributing on special teams and in pass-rushing situations when called upon.
Los Angeles Rams Breakthrough (2023–2025)
Hampton’s most extensive opportunity with the Rams came in his third professional season, when he played in 12 games and registered 10 total tackles. On December 9, 2025, he was waived by the Rams and re-signed to the practice squad, a common roster maneuver that gave the team flexibility at the position. Shortly thereafter, on January 13, 2026, he was signed to the active roster for the postseason.
Hampton appeared in all three of the Rams’ playoff games that postseason, totaling three tackles with one solo stop and two assists. The postseason experience provided him with valuable game reps against top competition and showcased his readiness for a larger role going forward.
Carolina Panthers Era (2026–Present)
On March 20, 2026, Nicholas Hampton signed with the Carolina Panthers, beginning a new chapter in his professional career. The move followed his three seasons with the Rams and came after his postseason activation in Los Angeles. With Carolina, he is expected to compete for a role in the defensive rotation and on special teams while continuing to develop as a pass rusher.
Hampton joined the Panthers during the 2026 league year, bringing three seasons of NFL experience and postseason game appearances to his new team. His career totals through the 2025 regular season include 17 total tackles and two pass deflections, figures he will look to build upon with Carolina.
Driving Style and Strengths
Hampton is recognized for his pass-rushing instincts, motor, and ability to disrupt plays in the backfield. At 6 feet 3 inches and around 251 pounds, he combines the frame of an NFL edge defender with the quickness needed to win off the edge. His college production, highlighted by 17.5 tackles for loss and 11 sacks in a single season, illustrates his ability to consistently pressure the quarterback.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Hampton’s signature moments is his selection in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL draft by the Los Angeles Rams, the realization of a goal he set during his time at Westside High School and Appalachian State. His activation to the Rams’ active roster for the 2025 postseason and appearances in all three playoff games marked a milestone in his early professional career. His subsequent signing with the Carolina Panthers in March 2026 represented another significant step in his NFL journey.
Nick Hampton Career Wins
While individual win totals for defensive players are tracked differently than for quarterbacks or skill-position players, Nicholas Hampton’s college résumé includes a standout 2022 season that produced first-team All-Sun Belt recognition. His professional résumé continues to build through rotational contributions, postseason appearances, and continued development with the Carolina Panthers.
Appalachian State Highlights
During his time at Appalachian State, Hampton established himself as one of the most productive defensive players in the Sun Belt Conference. His redshirt junior season, in which he recorded 69 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, and 11 sacks, earned him third-team All-Sun Belt honors. He followed that with a senior campaign that resulted in first-team All-Sun Belt recognition in 2022.
Other Wins & Performances
Hampton’s most notable professional performance came during the 2025 postseason, when he appeared in all three Rams playoff games and registered three tackles. The postseason run provided him with meaningful experience against high-level competition and set the stage for his signing with the Carolina Panthers.
Nick Hampton Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Nicholas Hampton was raised in Anderson, South Carolina, where he attended Westside High School and developed his football skills. Specific details about his parents and immediate family are not publicly documented in available sources.
Personal Life
Hampton’s personal life remains largely private, with limited public information available about relationships or family beyond his upbringing in South Carolina. He continues his professional football career with the Carolina Panthers.
2025 Season Performance
Nicholas Hampton’s 2025 season with the Los Angeles Rams represented his third year in the NFL and his most extensive opportunity to date. He appeared in 12 games during the regular season and recorded 10 total tackles, marking a step forward from his first two professional seasons in which he posted four and three tackles respectively.
On December 9, 2025, Hampton was waived by the Rams and re-signed to the practice squad, a roster move that kept him within the organization. The decision reflected the team’s depth at his position while preserving his development. On January 13, 2026, he was signed back to the active roster in preparation for the postseason, a sign of his value to the Rams’ defensive plans.
Hampton appeared in all three of the Rams’ playoff games that postseason, recording three tackles with one solo stop and two assists. His postseason activation and contributions demonstrated his growth as a rotational defender and set the foundation for his next opportunity, which came when he signed with the Carolina Panthers on March 20, 2026.
