For most players hoping to enter the NFL this season, a trip to New York in the spring meant they were invited to the draft as a projected high selection.
For former South Carolina cornerback Victor Hampton, though, a trip to New York may have contributed to going undrafted over the seven-round event. Police in New York City wanted to speak to Hampton and fellow former Gamecock Kelcy Quarles after an April altercation in a nightclub. That wasn’t Hampton’s only run-in with the law as he was also reportedly arrested in Columbia, South Carolina earlier that month following an incident with his sister.
Hampton was seen as a possible mid-round pick, but no one took the bait until Tuesday. Hampton’s agent announced that his client has signed with the Bengals. The Giants, who signed Quarles, also showed some interest in Hampton before he opted to cast his lot with the Bengals.
It’s not a bad landing spot given the chances that the Bengals extended to Vontaze Burfict and Adam Jones in recent years. Still, at 5-9, Hampton will likely have to show he can handle special teams and slot duties in order to stick with Cincinnati out of camp.
