Just four games into his IFL career, Knight Hawks defensive back and Las Vegas native Bryce Hampton is making his mark. With three interceptions and seven passes defended, he already ranks among the league-leaders for the undefeated VKH.

And while the rookie is making a splash in his first month of IFL duty, in many ways, his path to football success started with a math class.

At 17 years old and just out of Centennial High School, Hampton was attending Mesa Community College in 2017.

"My mom said, 'If you don't pass the math class, you're going to come home. I'm not going to waste my money,' said Hampton. "So I tried my best and got a 69 and the teacher didn't want to bump my grade up. So I went home and worked."

Hampton spent the year working two jobs, one in a Las Vegas call center and one in fast food. He remembers it as one of the most humbling and frustrating years of his life, finding his way while his friends were on the football field. It was also a year that changed his approach to football and life.

"My journey was very long. I learned a lot, and I think that everything happens for a reason. So coming into playing here and trying to get to the next level, I'm treating it the same and working my way from the bottom to the top," said Hampton. "Those trials humbled me and showed me that I really love what I do. I'm trying to stay the course."

Hampton's journey from bottom to top got back on course the following year when he attended junior college at Snow College, followed by a season at Division II Adams State where he played both sides of the ball and led the nation with eight interceptions, earning honorable mention All-American accolades.

That caught the attention of Power Five schools, and after entering the transfer portal, Hampton finished his college career at Purdue in 2022.

"The transition from Division II to Power Five might've been my biggest jump in football," said Hampton. "That transition on the field and in the classroom, I think going to Purdue really helped me as a football player, as a student, and outside life."

Those life lessons in perseverance came in handy again this past year when Hampton was waiting at home for another chance to play, this time in the pro ranks. That opportunity came along with the help of another Vegas native in the Knight Hawks secondary, defensive back Malik Haussman.

"Bryce actually reached out to me through Malik, because they are really good friends," said Knight Hawks Head Coach Mike Davis. "He reached out to me, and we had a really good conversation. It felt like it would be a good fit, and it has been so far."

Hampton made his first big impact in the Knight Hawks' home-opener at Lee's Family Forum, a 39-33 win over the Jacksonville Sharks. Hampton had two interceptions in his first pro game in front of family and friends, including a goal-line pick in the fourth quarter.

The following week against the San Antonio Gunslingers, Hampton made eight tackles and broke up two passes. Last week in Jacksonville, he made five more tackles and hauled in another interception, again in the fourth quarter, which he returned 32 yards to set up another Knight Hawks score.

Hampton's three interceptions are tied for third-most in the IFL, and his seven passes defended are tied for fourth-most league-wide.

"He should have five picks. He's dropped two," joked Davis. "He's doing what we're asking of him. Obviously, he's never played the [indoor] game before, and he's playing the defenses about as well as you can play it. When you do that, good things happen."

"I play the coverage coach calls and try to be disciplined in technique. And it also comes from watching film and knowing what receivers like to do," Hampton added. "I think it's off instincts and ability. Since I was a kid, I was told I had good ball instincts and could always find the ball."

If steel sharpens steel, the Knight Hawks have sparks flying at practice. The team is second in the league in sacks, third in interceptions, and ranks third overall in points against per game. On the other side of the ball, the VKH boast quarterback Ja'Rome Johnson, who has won the league's Offensive Player of the Week twice in the team's first four games and leads an offense that is second in the league in points per game, producing touchdowns on 18 straight possessions.

"Everybody feels good, we feed off each other, we make each other better. Out here at practice, we're always going hard like it's a game," said Hampton. "We talk crazy to each other, but it's all love at the end of the day when we take the pads off."

"It's hard to explain, but coming out here with these guys every day and competing and doing what we love, it molds us together as one. I wake up every day at 5:30am and drive an hour to be with this team, and it's fun. We keep this same path going, stay healthy and keep making plays, we're going to have a fun season."

It has been a lot of fun so far for the Knight Hawks, and for hometown Hampton, who continues to seize the next opportunity.

"Staying here in Vegas was the biggest thing for me. Being here at home, it's a good feeling."