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Brandon Hampton is still listed as a safety on Cal’s roster, but when the Bears host Tennessee in their season-opener Sept. 1, there’s a good chance he’ll be a starting cornerback.

Hampton is playing as the first-team cornerback on the side opposite returning starter Syd’Quan Thompson, and despite competition with a few others at the position, Hampton states confidently he will remain on top of the depth chart for the rest of preseason camp.

Hampton started every game last season at strong safety, but in the spring, he was asked to move to corner because the Bears needed a replacement for departed Daymeion Hughes, the 2006 Pac-10 defensive player of the year.

“I don’t feel like I’m replacing Hughes,” Hampton said. “It’s just a standard I need to live up to. But I definitely feel I have some shoes to fill.”

Thomas DeCoud and Bernard Hicks shared the free safety spot last year, and Hicks was moved to strong safety in the offseason and is the starter there this year. DeCoud’s activity has been limited this week because of a slight hamstring problem, but his job is not believed to be in jeopardy.

Hampton is used to making changes. He arrived at Cal as a walk-on running back before being moved to defense and says the change from safety to corner was not a difficult adjustment.

Notebook: Nyan Boateng, a transfer wide receiver from Florida, is not practicing because he has been suspended. He was arrested last month in Florida on charges of burglary and assault. He would have had to sit out games as a transfer but he could have practiced. … Sophomore offensive lineman Kevin Bemoll was suspended from the team for the fall semester because he violated team rules. ... Offensive tackle Chet Teofilo had surgery to repair a dislocated thumb. ... Redshirt freshman James Montgomery, the backup to starter Justin Forsett, sustained a concussion Friday. … Walk-on tailback Bryan Schutte, who played in eight games last season, decided this week to quit football and concentrate on his academics. … Freshman offensive lineman Matt Summers-Gavin has not practiced yet because he sustained a concussion from an off-the-field fall. … Linebackers D.J. Holt and Alex Cook have not reported to camp because of academic requirements. Coach Jeff Tedford said Holt, a freshman, could report by the end of camp or the beginning of the fall semester. Cook, a junior college transfer from Blinn College (Texas), isn’t expected in Berkeley until the spring. … Quarterback Nate Longshore got engaged to longtime friend Rachel Gibson during the offseason, and they are planning to wed next summer.

© 2007, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.