Going into the 2024 college football season, North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton is not only one of the top players returning to the Tar Heels but in all of the sport.
Hampton enjoyed a big breakout season in 2023, establishing himself among the elite running backs in the country. And going into 2024, he’s cracked the list of the top 10 most elusive running backs returning to college football.
247Sports released its list on Friday, with Hampton checking in at No. 5 overall:
Missed Tackles Forced: 63
Few programs have enjoyed more success at running back than North Carolina since Mack Brown returned to Chapel Hill in 2019. Hampton led the nation in yards after contact (1,072) and yards after contact per rush (4.37) last season. He averaged a whopping 8.42 yards after contact and forced eight missed tackles in the loss at Clemson in Week 12. The Tar Heels’ offense will run through him in 2024 as the team undergoes a quarterback change with Drake Maye off to the NFL.
Hampton showed the ability to be the lead back and breaking tackles for big gains. He finished last season with 1,504 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns, averaging 5.9 yards per carry.
With Drake Maye gone, North Carolina’s offense is likely going to lean on the run game with Hampton at the center of it. Can he put together another big season for the Tar Heels in 2024?
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