The Los Angeles Rams selected Appalachian State outside linebacker Nick Hampton with the 161st overall pick in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft (4/29/23).
College: During his five seasons at Appalachian State, Hampton appeared in 50 games and tallied 175 tackles (89 solo), 40 tackles for loss, 26.5 sacks, four passes defensed, six forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries. His sack total is tied for fourth place in App State history and he notched 133 QB pressures and nine hurries, according to Pro Football Focus. His senior season in 2022, Hampton started in all nine game appearances at outside linebacker. The team captain earned AllSun Belt first-team honors after recording 39 tackles (19 solo) 7.0 sacks, 9.5 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. In 2021, he started all 14 games and totaled 69 tackles (36 solo), 17.5 tackles for loss and 11.0 sacks, the sixthmost single-season sacks in program history and the most in the FBS era. He led Sun Belt defenders and ranked 16th nationally with 52 quarterback pressures. Hampton was one of only five players nationally in 2021 with more than 10.0 sacks, 15 tackles for loss and 65 tackles. Hampton also finished the season tied for second in the Sun Belt in sacks and tackles for loss. During the 2020 season, he played in 10 games (six starts) and finished fifth on the team with 42 tackles (21 solo). He also tied for second on the team with 3.0 sacks and tied for third with 6.5 tackles for loss. In 2019, Hampton appeared in all 14 games and made his first collegiate start at Troy. He finished second on the team with 5.5 sacks and tied for the team lead with eight hurries. Hampton finished the campaign with 24 tackles (11 solo), 6.5 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles. He redshirted as a true freshman and appeared in three contests in 2018
Personal: Hampton was a two-time all-region I-AAAAA selection and a two-time (Anderson) Independent-Mail all-area selection in his high school career. He was rated a two-star prospect by 247Sports and also competed in track and field. Hampton has two siblings, Shaun and Dominic.
