Syracuse University remained in the mix until the final stages of Messiah Hampton’s recruitment. Head coach Fran Brown went as far as relocating a spring practice to the wide receiver’s hometown in an effort to strengthen ties.
Hampton, the top-ranked football recruit in New York, spoke highly of Brown’s authenticity and commitment, saying, “Coach Fran, he’s real.” Despite being one of the final three schools under consideration, Syracuse ultimately lost out to Oregon when Hampton made his decision public during a ceremony at his high school.
Strong Bond With Coach Douglas Sealed Oregon Commitment, Miami Lacked Personal Connection Impact
The decisive factor in Hampton’s choice was his bond with wide receivers coach Ross Douglas, who recently left Syracuse for Oregon. Hampton revealed that he would have committed to Syracuse if Douglas had stayed. Instead, Douglas’s move westward and his ongoing mentorship were too influential to ignore.
Douglas had played a crucial role in Hampton’s development, frequently reviewing film with him and offering targeted advice to improve his game. Oregon’s commitment to Douglas, demonstrated by a $1.2 million guaranteed contract and a $200,000 buyout to Syracuse, further solidified Hampton’s confidence.
Top NY Recruit Messiah Hampton Commits to Oregon After Coach Douglas Departs SyracuseWhile Miami also made Hampton’s top three, it failed to make a lasting impression, primarily because of a weak connection with head coach Mario Cristobal. According to Chris Hampton, Messiah’s father, the lack of one-on-one communication until the final day hurt Miami’s chances.
Although Hampton appreciated the assistant coaches, he did not feel a genuine interest from Cristobal, which ultimately led to the Hurricanes falling out of contention.
Relationships, Growth, and Long-Term Goals Outweighed Money in Hampton’s Oregon Commitment Decision
Both Messiah and his father emphasized that money played no role in the decision. Instead, the relationships with coaches at Oregon and Syracuse were the main influences. Oregon’s style of play and the professional pedigree of its staff added to the appeal, particularly given Hampton’s aspirations for an NFL career.
Syracuse remained in close contact and was described as “extended family,” but Douglas’s continued mentorship from Oregon was the defining edge.
Hampton sees his move to Oregon not only as a football decision but also as a personal growth opportunity. The distance from home was a factor, but both father and son believe that being away will foster independence and maturity.
Chris Hampton expressed pride in his son’s willingness to embrace challenge, saying that tough experiences build character. Although committed to Oregon, Messiah left the door open for a future transfer to Syracuse, acknowledging the strong emotional ties he still feels toward the Orange program.
