At this point in the college football season, are you surprised at the type of year UNC junior running back Omarion Hampton is experiencing?
In North Carolina’s 31-24 victory over Wake Forest on Saturday, Hampton rushed for a career-high 244 yards on a career-high 35 carries. Hampton also added what would be the game-winning touchdown, channeling his inner Saquon Barkley on a 6-yard, hurdle-and-score with just over two minutes remaining.
Hampton led all FBS rushers with his Week 12 output – and climbed up the Tar Heel record books. Hampton moved into a third-place tie with Marquise Williams (2011-2015) for his 35th rushing touchdown, plus he now owns the program record for consecutive 100-yard games (eight).
After reading all this, it should come as no surprise that Hampton was named ACC Running Back of the Week. This was Hampton’s third time earning the honor – and seventh time overall in his career.
Sitting outside of the Top 5 FBS rushing yardage leaders before the Wake Forest game, Hampton climbed to second with 1,422 rushing yards in 2024. The one man he trails is Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, the should-be Heisman Trophy winner, who currently has 1,893 yards and has the Broncos in the thick of CFP contention.
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Hampton could very well pass 2,000 yards if he continues at his current pace, though he’d have to average 193 rushing yards over UNC’s final three games.
North Carolina ships up to Boston College on Saturday, Nov. 23, hosts NC State for its regular-season finale on Nov. 30, then will play in a bowl game for the sixth-consecutive season – at a date TBD.
There’s no question Hampton is one of the best running backs in Tar Heel history. Is he THE best running back?
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