It’s no secret that Omarion Hampton is the centerpiece of the UNC football team’s offensive attack, particularly since it shifted to a run-first attack with Drake Maye’s NFL departure.
Hampton, the in-state junior from Clayton, is currently enjoying his second-consecutive 1,000-yard campaign. Hampton is riding a 7-game streak of 100-yard rushing attacks, including his second-career 200-yard performance against NC Central.
With how dominant of a back Hampton is, it shouldn’t surprise you that he’s in-line for yet another award.
On Tuesday, Nov. 12, Hampton was named one of 16 semifinalists for the Maxwell Award. According to its official website, the Maxwell Award is annually “presented to the Outstanding Collegiate Player of the Year.
You’ll probably recognize several other names on the Maxwell Award Semifinalist list: Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe, FBS rushing yardage leader Ashton Jeanty, Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik, Colorado stars Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter, Miami (FL) Heisman Trophy contender Cam Ward, Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart, Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel, Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson, Texas QB Quinn Ewers, Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia, Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson, Indiana QB Kurtis Rourke, Army QB Bryson Daly and Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo.
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Since taking over the starting role from British Brooks early in North Carolina’s 2023 campaign, Hampton has done nothing but showcase why he’s one of the country’s top backs. Hampton’s fresh off easily his best game in a Tar Heel uniform, in which he totaled 263 scrimmage yards and five touchdowns.
Hampton has 3,083 rushing yards and 34 rushing touchdowns in his UNC career. He continues climbing up North Carolina’s all-time yardage leaderboard – and will go down as arguably the program’s best back of the 21st century.
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