DJ Lagway’s teammate from high school just got his big break with the Gators

DeBraun Hampton was one of DJ Lagway's favorite wide receiver targets from high school. While he had some offers from some FCS schools, he wound up following Lagway to Gainesville as a PWO for the Florida Gators.

Hampton's journey has been going well enough that he has now been placed on scholarship for the Gators.

DeBraun Hampton earns a scholarship with the Florida Gators

Hampton took to social media to confirm the news with the caption "Super blessed."

According to PFF, Hampton took one snap last year during the Gasparilla Bowl and redshirted the 2024 season.

We profiled Hampton when he first committed to Florida as a PWO, and at the time we said:

"Often lined up to the back of Lagway, Hampton is slippery once he catches the ball. We wouldn't say he has an elite burst like Tre Wilson, but he is able to make subtle enough moves that make him a problem for opposing defenses to bring down.

While his chances of ever actually taking the field alongside Lagway in a Gator uniform are low, one intriguing thing from his Hudl film is his punt-returning prowess.

From what we counted, Hampton has already found the endzone five times through his first six games this season on punt returns. Granted, a couple came back due to flags, but it does showcase more of his ability to make guys miss."

The tidbit about his ability to return punts his notable because during the spring, Hampton had his name pop up from Florida special teams coordinator Joe Houston as a candidate to return kicks:

"(Eugene) Wilson, Tank Hawkins, Jadan Baugh, Ja'Kobi Jackson, J. Michael Sturdivant, Aidan Mizell, Vernell Brown III, Duke Clark, Dallas Wilson, Naeshaun Montgomery, DeBraun Hampton will all get reps at that position, they are gonna compete for it and the best guy is going to be the starter."

So while it is still unlikely that Hampton will see any meaningful snaps on offense in 2025, he is a guy to keep an eye on as a special-teams candidate.