At least one aspect of Josh Hampton’s football career won’t change as he makes the transition from the high school to the collegiate gridiron.

He’ll remain a Tiger for the next four years.

Last Friday, the Cedar Bluff senior signed a letter-of-intent to The University of the South, a four-year Div. III liberal arts college in Sewanee, TN.

Hampton’s athletic and academic credentials certainly measure up to university standards.

A four-year starter at guard and linebacker, Hampton’s Tiger teams posted a 40-10 record, a 27-1 region record, three region titles and seven playoff victories.

Hampton started 51 consecutive games beginning with the last game of his eighth grade year.

Individual honors include 2004 Class 1A Lineman of the Year finalist, 2004 first team All-State selection, 2003 honorable mention All-State selection, 2004 and 2003 team captain and three-time All-Area and All-County selections.

Hampton also won a gold medal and set a state record in the javelin event in the 2004 Class 1A state track & field meet.

Hampton is also a member of the FCA, FFA, FCCLA, Students Against Drunk Driving and the school’s Math, Science and Beta Clubs.

Hampton, who carries a 3.89 GPA and will graduate fifth in his class, will study psychology and go on to law school.

Hampton declined football scholarship offers from Blackburn (IL) College and Waldorf (IA) College before settling on Sewanee.

“The two other schools had mediocre football programs,” said Hampton. “My goal was to attend a school that was very strong academically, and that’s what sold me on Sewanee. This is something that I’ve worked towards for a long time, and it’s a relief that the opportunity is finally here.

“I’m really happy to get the opportunity to play football again. Sewanee is a very prestigious school, and it’s going to be a good challenge for me. Plus, it’s only about an hour and a half away from home, so it will be easy for family and friends to come up and watch me play.”

Hampton’s high school coach believes that several other schools missed the boat on Josh’s potential.

“I think that Sewanee is getting a steal as a football player and even more so as a person,” said Steve Smith. “Sewanee is an outstanding school academically, and Josh is the type of person who can handle that environment.

I’m very proud of him for what he accomplished here at Cedar Bluff, and I know that he’ll so a great job at Sewanee. I think that Sewanee has gotten someone in Josh that some other schools will wish they had four years from now.

“Josh has had a tremendous impact upon our program, both with his abilities to make plays and his leadership and work ethic. He’s the type of player that makes everyone around him work harder, and I believe that he’ll have the same kind of impact his college teammates.

“As good as he is a football player, Josh is a lot better of a person. Josh is a real good football player, so that shows you what kind of person he is.”

A member of the Southern Collegiate Athletic Con-ference, The University of the South’s football team went 2-8 in 2004.

Other SCAC members include Centre College, DePauw University, Hendrix College, Millsaps College, Oglethorpe University, Rhodes College, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Southwestern University and Trinity University