ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Messiah Hampton, the top-ranked football player in New York State in the Class of 2026, committed to play football at the University of Oregon on Friday. Hampton, a wide receiver at Monroe High School, is going into his senior season.
Hampton narrowed 34 offers down to 7 and ultimately chose Oregon, with Miami and Syracuse coming close. Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan, and Georgia were also in the mix.
Hampton’s relationship with Ross Douglas, a former Syracuse coach who took a job with Oregon, was the deciding factor.
“Since day one me and him been working together. I just trust him to develop me,” Hampton said.
The Ducks are getting the top player in New York State for the Class of 2026, but Hampton is more than just a number on a recruiting site.
“Hard working, whatever they get they’re getting a prize. He gon put on a show,” said Chris Hampton, Messiah’s father.
Hampton’s journey to this point wasn’t always easy. He came to Monroe High School with zero offers and was struggling with depression and anger. However, his time at Monroe transformed him both on and off the field.
“I came to Monroe sad, a depressed kid, mad at the world kid. I’m leaving here blessed, happy, and just filled with the Holy Spirit. Monroe just transformed me on and off the field and I’m truly thankful for it,” Hampton said.
Hampton’s relationship with God played a significant role in his transformation and success. He wants his teammates and classmates to experience the same positive changes he did.
“Not everybody’s religious, but my relationship with God just truly led me here because there’s a lot I don’t talk about in my past, a lot of stuff I went through. Without Him I wouldn’t be here,” Hampton said.
Now, Hampton is in the perfect place to inspire others, even though he still has a ways to go before achieving his dreams of making it to the NFL.
“It’s easy to follow the wrong crowd, it’s hard to be different, set yourself aside be like I want to go to the league, I want to do something better for my family, my community,” Hampton said. “It’s not much ways to get out of Rochester New York. For me it’s like a life or death mindset.”
Hampton hopes his journey can show young kids in Rochester that if he can make it, they can too. His openness about his struggles and faith have been key to his success so far.
“I want all the young kids out here to see Messiah did it, I could do it,” Hampton said.
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