Tenacious. Hungry. Tough. Physical.
Lundon Hampton’s older brother, Basil Jr., was asked how to best describe the Michigan running back commit, responding with those four words. They’re the epitome of why the Wolverines offered to begin with and why he’ll soon wear the winged helmet come this time next year.
Hampton grew up in a family devoted to investing in him perfecting his character before allowing athletics to raise the ceiling. His loved ones are also renowned athletes themselves. Basil Jr. currently plays football at Indiana Wesleyan. His father, Basil, is a member of the Gus Macker Hall of Fame.
There was an understanding of what needed to be accomplished by Lundon before the dream could be a reality. For instance, Basil Jr. still remembers his little brother starting football in kindergarten. The willingness and eagerness to learn the game will only continue once he enrolls in Ann Arbor, but it’s since allowed him to be one of the best seniors in the state.
Lundon committed to Michigan in late May. He also considered the likes of MSU and Kentucky. According to his father, the process was an overwhelming experience. It wasn’t just the Wolverines who the family grew with close, so the telling others “no” was tough. But when it came down to deciding what mattered the most, the school located a little more than 30 minutes from his hometown of Jackson checked all the boxes.
“They got the best running back coach in the country,” Basil said. “The school is the biggest brand in the country. Education is next to Ivy League. It’s everything you want and it’s in our backyard. He can come home and get dinner every night (laughs).”
The commitment ceremony occurred inside the halls of Kenowa Hills High. At one point, he and his mother, Mia, had a moment together that the latter recalled vividly while watching her son play in his season opener in Midtown Detroit this past Thursday.
“He’s a great, great kid. I am extremely proud beyond words,” Mia said. “I told him that day, ‘I believe in you. I believe in you.’ I know he’s going to do well.”
Michigan also garnered the same belief once he was offered on a visit during spring camp. After spending time in person with Tony Alford and head coach Kyle Whittingham, the relationship blossomed in short order.
The jump from high school football to the highest level of the Power 4 hasn’t dawned away from the family, so they were in search of someone who Lundon could lean on for mentorship. Alford and Whittingham were the coaches for the job.
The consensus of the pair from everyone is there will be a learning curve for Lundon once he enrolls in a few months, essentially pledging to the long game. The importance of who’s teaching him was a major deciding factor, resulting in them being in the company of the former.
“(Alford is) experienced. He knows what he’s seeing and knows what he can develop.” Basil said. “He’ll let you know the opportunity you’re going to have, and especially at Michigan. He can go in anybody’s house and leave with their child. His resume speaks for itself. When he showed interest, and he broke down things about Lundon that he could make him even better, that was very convincing.
“I’m not shying away from the problem that Michigan had. When (Whittingham) came in…wow, wow. He didn’t shy from anything. He addressed it, but his past got there before he did. The quality of his coaches, the quality of a man he is, the integrity. Those things got there before he even got there. He’s first class. Once you meet him, you’ll leave your child in his care.”
Basil Jr. and Mia echoed that sentiment. Mia would add they heard from the coaches at once a week when Lundon was undergoing the recruitment process, and that hasn’t stopped now into September.
“Michigan’s got that money, so they’re bringing in all the best,” Basil Jr. said. “Best in the weight room, best coaching staff. I believe Alford is the best running back coach in all of Division I football. Whitingham is a winning coach, so he’s going to definitely be a key factor. And Michigan is just the M — everybody knows it. We got the national championship a couple of years ago. I feel like it’s a good fit for Lundon.”
That connection has also extended to the other 20 commits in Michigan’s 2027 class and their relatives. The middle of June saw the team host its annual Victor’s Weekend recruiting event, which Mia loved how bonding opportunities included group picture taking that featured everyone who made the trip.
Now, Mia is in a group chat with the commits’ mothers. The few days of fraternizing turned a group into a community, and that’s what Mia appreciates.
“It’s been an exciting process just to see everything pan out as it has,” Mia said. “The journey, all the travel, everything we’ve done, all the hard work he’s put in, and then to see him get offered by Michigan. He’s grateful. I’m grateful. Michigan provides him with a great opportunity, development, and a Michigan degree. That’s beyond great.”
Development was said by all three pertaining to their specific expectations for Lundon at Michigan. Same for him getting the most of the training regiment led by the staff and paths for prosperity outside of the sport. Proximity helped but comfort was more significant.
Lundon had a notable resource within the four walls of the home in Basil Jr. due to the latter going through the same thing two years ago. Solace from the advice of Basil Jr. involved making sure Lundon was at peace around the coaches and the location he would be spending most of his days. The feeling knowing Lundon found that at Michigan brings satisfaction to Basil Jr.
That’s why it took Basil Jr. a second to answer the question of what’s it going to mean to him to see Lundon run out of the tunnel and touch the M Club Banner for the first time 12 months from now. Not just because of where and who Lundon will prolong his football with, but seeing the little brother who began playing when they were in grade school together achieve his goals.
“He’s going to work hard and he’s always going to fight,” Basil Jr. said. “He’ll never give up. He’ll always fight. He’s just a ball player, really. He does his best on his toughest games. He’s a dog.”