New Orleans Saints safety Saquan Hampton knew his path to making the roster wouldn’t be easy. He’s known it since the minute he was drafted earlier this year, expressing eagerness in playing special teams if it would help his case to pass through roster cuts. And it’s for good reason; the Saints drafted two defensive backs in the same range as him last season, and both of them were cut after the preseason.

If his training camp performance is any indication, Hampton shouldn’t worry. The former Rutgers Scarlet Knights starter has snuck into the first-string defense early in camp and created a handful of impact plays right away. On Saturday, he got the jump on backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater to snag an interception at the highest point of its arc.

Hampton surprised everyone involved in the play including Bridgewater, his intended target, and the defender covering that guy by crossing the field and getting vertical to snatch the ball away. It was a great display of his talents, combining rapid-fire play recognition with upper-shelf athleticism.

The rookie’s performance has caught the attention of his peers, with veteran safety Chris Banjo praising him during media availability after Saturday’s training camp practice: “He’s taking what he’s learning in the film room, and the classroom, and bringing it out here. You can tell he’s hungry. It’s been a joy to watch him.”

Hampton has more work to do before his spot on the opening-day roster can be written in anything but pencil, but he’s off to as fast a start as any rookie in recent memory. If he continues to make plays, executive his assignments, and climb the depth chart, there’s no telling how much action he may see in 2019. And not all of it could come covering punts and kickoffs.