ROCHESTER — James Monroe's Messiah Hampton is not only the best receiver in New York state, he's receiving scholarship offers from national powerhouses like the University of Michigan and Ohio State University .
Hampton is entering his junior season for the Red Jackets, but he's attracted Division I programs since his freshman year. He has well over 10 D-I offers, which includes a bevy of Power Five schools. Sites such as 247sports.com and on3.com , where Hampton is listed as a three-star prospect, have ranked the Rochester standout as the No. 1 receiver in New York state.
Hampton plans to announce his top 10 college choices on Friday, Aug. 30. He broke his hand in February but has since fully recovered. He'll star at receiver with teammates Sthyles McKenzie-Baker, Nasir Kelly and "burner" Luis Falu, with sophomore Pooty Cunningham debuting as the starting quarterback.
"This summer was so big for me because I was working on the little stuff that I know I needed to focus on. Back in February I broke my hand, so I had to regain my catching and lifting up on ... what I'm weak at," Hampton said on the second day of Section V football practices Aug. 20.
Messiah Hampton's college choice list is long
Hampton is a great example of Monroe's coaching staff's willingness to develop local talent. The school's SMART program has introduced many student athletes to college opportunities since the football program's recent revival.
According to Irish Sports Daily, Hampton has offers from Syracuse, Penn State, Wisconsin, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, West Virginia and Wisconsin among others. Boston College offered Hampton in August. Hampton tweeted scholarship offers from Michigan and Ohio State in June. He was named MVP at the reigning national champion Wolverine's camp that month. OSU, commonly referred to as "Wide Receiver U" , offered Hampton about a week later.
Hampton's high school success
Monroe coach Terrell Cunningham said Hampton may be a slot receiver in college as he stands around 6-foot-1 and and 170 pounds, but the rising junior has multiple roles for the reigning Section V champion Red Jackets. Hampton attracts bracket coverages at receiver and will be utilized in the backfield. He also has a nose for the end zone at safety and as a returner. In one game as a sophomore, Hampton caught just one reception, but scored three touchdowns via an interception, fumble and punt return.
"We want to showcase Messiah's talents and make other teams figure out what we're doing. ... I want guys who's going to get into the end zone, and that's what he does," coach Cunningham said.
Monroe's coaches appreciates Hampton's ability to process information quickly. Cunningham only has to tell Hampton something once, and his star can teach his teammates. Hampton scored a combined 21 touchdowns on offense, defense and special teams in 2023, when Monroe recorded eight shutouts and outscored Section V opponents by an astounding 470-6, then 508-41 after NYS postseason play. Hampton's receiving prowess helped Khaya Moses throw a Section V record 38 touchdowns last season.
Hampton guided Monroe to the Section V Class B final in 2022, then won the championship with a state semifinals trip last fall, shocking local football aficionados after nearly defeating NYS power Maine-Endwell of Section IV in the state semifinals. It was the Red Jackets' first section crown since 1979 and first-ever region title.
Hampton is a two-time All-Greater Rochester selection and was a first team pick in 2023 , when he was also named Section V Class B's co-Offensive Player of the Year and an all-state first teamer. According to Hampton's AGR bio, he wants to study business and entrepreneurship in college.
Monroe has moved up to Class A this fall and will play the likes of fellow Rochester city team and NYS semifinalist East High/World of Inquiry later in the season. Hampton and his Monroe Red Jackets are set to host reigning Section VI Class A champion Clarence at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7.
— Marquel Slaughter is a journalist for the Democrat and Chronicle, specializing in high school sports. He has been a reporter for 15 years. Follow him @MarquelSports and X or on Instagram. You can contact him at mslaughter1@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: This Monroe football star has a nose for the end zone and a long list of college choices
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