Dominique Hampton has seen plenty of NFL players pass through the doors on Montlake in his six seasons as a Husky.
He had to wait for eight of them to come off the board before him this year – Michael Penix Jr., Rome Odunze, Troy Fautanu, Ja’Lynn Polk, Roger Rosengarten, Bralen Trice, and Jalen McMillan were all selected in the top 100. Then, linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio went with the pick right before him at No. 160, marking the second time in the 2024 draft that Huskies have been taken with back-to-back picks, after Penix and Odunze at No. 8 and No. 9.
Now, Hampton is an official member of the NFL as well. The Washington Commanders selected him Saturday with the 161st overall pick, making him the ninth Husky selected.
Hampton has experience as a cornerback, safety, and nickel after playing in the Husky role in Washington’s defense. With 4.45 speed and long (33 1/4″) arms, Hampton should be an instant contributor on special teams as a gunner while developing as a man coverage player.
But Hampton is an impressive zone coverage player with high-end tackling ability. There’s certainly a world where head coach Dan Quinn gets a starting safety down the line.