DeKALB – NIU redshirt junior quarterback Ethan Hampton announced on social media Sunday that he plans to enter the transfer portal with two years of eligibility remaining, ending an up-and-down career with the Huskies.
The news comes one day after Hampton completed his first season as NIU’s starting quarterback, which saw him lead the Huskies to a 7-5 regular season finish and their third bowl game appearance in four seasons.
The Elburn native spent four years at NIU – backing up Rocky Lombardi for his first three seasons. Hampton made his first collegiate start as a true freshman in 2021, filling in for Lombardi in NIU’s regular season finale against Western Michigan University.
In 2022, Hampton once again stepped in for Lombardi after the latter suffered an injury in Week 3 against Vanderbilt University. Hampton finished the game and started the next three against No. 8 University of Kentucky, Ball State University and the University of Toledo before suffering a season-ending injury. The following season, Hampton saw action in four games in 2023.
Hampton was promoted to NIU’s full-time starter in 2024 after winning an offseason quarterback competition. He started in 11 of 12 games, throwing for 1,600 yards, 12 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. He also rushed for 129 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
The veteran passer broke NIU’s single-game passing efficiency record in his first start of 2024 with a 328-yard, five-touchdown performance against Western Illinois University – earning Mid-American Conference Player of the Week honors in the process. The following week in arguably the biggest win in school history, Hampton passed for 198 yards and a touchdown as NIU knocked off then-No. 5 University of Notre Dame in Week 2.
“What a 4 years it has been. Getting to live out my dream of playing Division I football has been a surreal experience,” Hampton wrote. “I want to thank coach (Thomas) Hammock for believing in me when not many others did. Thank you to coach (Eric) Eidsness, coach (Wesley) Beschorner and every other coach that I have had over the years for shaping me into who I am today. Thank you to (Dan) Wolfe, Juney (Barnett) and everyone else behind the scenes for providing constant support when I needed it most. Finally, thank you to my teammates who have provided me with friendships that will last a lifetime!”
Hampton finishes his NIU career with 2,568 passing yards, 21 passing touchdowns and 14 interceptions. His 58.2% completion percentage goes down as the ninth-best in school history.
Meanwhile, NIU will be left with four quarterbacks on its roster – with only two of them having Division I starting experience: redshirt junior Jalen Macon and redshirt freshman Josh Holst.
The NCAA transfer portal officially opens Dec. 9.
