KALAMAZOO, MI -- Butch Hampton's heart has always been soccer.

The true freshman kicker for Western Michigan football has left the team and returned to his home state of Oklahoma to pursue his first love, he said Thursday.

"I just want to make it clear that I didn't leave Western because I was unhappy," Hampton said. "I absolutely loved it there. Teammates, coaches, schooling; it was just a change of heart for me."

Hampton said he informed coaches of his intensions to return to Oklahoma the day after the team's 24-16 Cotton Bowl loss to Wisconsin.

He's already enrolled in classes at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma and will play on the soccer team coached by his father, Jimmy.

"My father has coached there for 20 years, grew up playing for him and it was just what my heart wanted," he said.

Hampton's story was colorful in his one year with the Broncos. He was challenged often by former coach P.J. Fleck to work on kicks while under pressure. He lost his mullet on a bet with Fleck after missing two-too many field goals in spring practice.

Through all his trials he thrived as a Bronco. Hampton had a standout performance in the Mid-American Conference championship game where he made five field goals to help his team to a 29-23 win over Ohio. It was Western Michigan's first MAC championship in 28 years.

Hampton made 19-of-24 field goals in 2016, his longest from 47 yards, and missed just two PATs, making 71-of-73 attempts.