N.C. State will soon begin fall practice for the 2026 football season, but will be missing an offensive tackle.
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Jai’Lun Hampton, a transfer from Tennessee-Martin, was denied a medical waiver by the NCAA and will be ineligible to play. Hampton, listed at 6-foot-8 and 345 pounds, was slated to be a backup at tackle for the Pack.
Hampton used his Instagram account Saturday to announce: “Unfortunately, I’ve been informed that my NCAA medical hardship waiver from my JUCO season was denied. I wasn’t made aware of the final decision until after I had already participated in spring football this semester. Because of that, it triggered my 10th semester of eligibility, making me ineligible to compete at the Division II level as well as Division I.”
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Hampton, a Detroit native, was named to the All-Big South second team last season at UT-Martin.
Hampton was in Charlotte’s football program in 2023 under former coach Biff Poggi but did not play. He played 25 games the past two seasons at UT-Martin.
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