Joe Gaiter: What does football mean to you?
Keonte Hampton: Football means everything to me. Football is something I live, eat, and breathe.
Joe Gaiter: Where did you grow up and how was your childhood?
Keonte Hampton: I grew in West Point, MS. It’s a small and friendly environment, where everybody knows everybody. This is a football town. We also have the best athletes in Mississippi. My childhood was great. Growing up, my parents always had my brothers and I active. We was hardly at home. We played every sport.
Joe Gaiter: What are your fondest memories about West Point High School?
Keonte Hampton: I would have to say winning the State Championship. That feeling of winning a championship is great feeling.
Joe Gaiter: Why didn’t you continue your baseball career?
Keonte Hampton: I didn’t love the game anymore. Want to know some crazy? I used to hate football growing up now look at me
Joe Gaiter: Tell us about your recruitment experience.
Keonte Hampton: The recruiting process wasn’t hard at all. Too many teams wasn’t impressed by my talent.
Joe Gaiter: What made you choose Jackson State University?
Keonte Hampton: Coach Hendricks and my mama were the reason I chose Jackson State. Coach Hendricks and I clicked on the first day.
Joe Gaiter: What were some of your stats this year?
Keonte Hampton: Honestly, I don’t know. I don’t pay attention to my stats. I just play ball️.
Joe Gaiter: How does it feel to be voted the SWAC Defensive Player of the Year and on the SWAC First-Team?
Keonte Hampton: It’s a blessing, without God none of this would be possible.
Joe Gaiter: Jackson State was 4-8 last year. What in your opinion went wrong?
Keonte Hampton: We didn’t trust each other. Our team chemistry was horrible.
Joe Gaiter: What is your relationship like with Head Coach John Hendrick and the coaching staff?
Keonte Hampton: Coach Hendricks and I have a great relationship. I have a great relationship with the whole coaching staff. But Coach Hendricks is like a father to me. I call him pops most of the time.
Joe Gaiter: What is your untold story?
Keonte Hampton: A lot of people don’t know this but I look up to Warren Newman and C.J. Holmes. They’re work ethic really inspires me to go harder everyday.
Joe Gaiter: Where are you training during the off-season?
Keonte Hampton: I’m training in my hometown with my old teammates.
Joe Gaiter: Who are some athletes we need to watch out for?
Keonte Hampton: Joshua Rice, C.J. Holmes, Warren Newman, and Kevin Berthey.
Joe Gaiter: What is your major and how do you plan on using it?
Keonte Hampton: My major is Therapeutic Recreation. I want to be a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists. I like helping people so I wanna help people with disabilities. I want to help as many people as I can.
Joe Gaiter: What do you want your legacy to be?
Keonte Hampton: I want to be known as one of the greatest defensive players that have ever came through Jackson State.
Joe Gaiter: Final Words?
Keonte Hampton:I will see y’all September 5th.
Joe Gaiter: Shout outs?
Keonte Hampton:I want to thank God for blessing me with these abilities. I also want thank my mama, my grandma, my girlfriend, and my brother for pushing me everyday and make sure I don’t slip up.
