Tag: Omarion Hampton

2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: RB Omarion Hampton, North Carolina

This versatile playmaker will have no shortage of NFL suitors.

An accomplished high school athlete, Omarion Hampton stayed in his home state to attend the University of North Carolina. The four-star prep recruit and three-sport standout was twice named to the all-state team. It didn’t stop there as Hampton flashed out of the gates for the Tar Heels, scoring eight total touchdowns as a true freshman.

He’d go on to dominate the next two seasons before heading into the 2025 NFL Draft as the No. 2 prospect at the position on most boards. Hampton rounded out his collegiate career with consecutive Second-team Associated Press All-American and First-team All-ACC honors — along with being a finalist both years for the Doak Walker Award (nation’s best RB).

Height: 6-foot
Weight: 221 pounds
40 time: 4.46 seconds (estimated)

Table: RB Omarion Hampton, North Carolina (2022-24)

Year Team Class G Rushing Receiving
Att Yds Y/A TD Rec Yds Y/R TD
2022* North Carolina Fr 13 88 401 4.6 6 6 40 6.7 1
2023* North Carolina So 13 253 1,504 5.9 15 29 222 7.7 1
2024* North Carolina Jr 12 281 1,660 5.9 15 38 373 9.8 2
Career 38 622 3,565 5.7 36 73 635 8.7 4

*includes postseason/bowl games (stats from Sports Reference)

Pros

  • Backbreaking blend of size, speed, and power to carry an offense
  • Quick feet to regather once stopped
  • Excellent contact balance and body control
  • Three-down utility
  • Fits most NFL systems well but will be best in a gap design that allows his north-south style to shine
  • Formidable jump-cut and enough lateral agility to create space as well as stack moves — also sports a capable stiff arm
  • Determined runner who bulls through opponents and often requires multiple defenders to take him down
  • Adequate receiver who still has room to grow
  • Remarkably consistent from 2023 through ’24

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Cons

  • Intentionally takes excessive levels of brutal contact — serious longevity concerns if this doesn’t change
  • Has a couple of successfully repeatable moves in the open field but lacks a full repertoire of maneuvers
  • Limited exposure to more complex routes out of the backfield
  • Eyes are inconsistent for spotting the proper lane at the optimal time
  • Effort blocker who will need refinement to handle the best the NFL has to offer

Fantasy football outlook

Hampton almost certainly will go behind Ashton Jeanty as the second running back chosen, and being a top-15 pick is in play. Teams with a reasonable probability to draft him include the Dallas Cowboys (12th), Chicago Bears (10th), Denver Broncos (20th), Las Vegas Raiders (6th), and Pittsburgh Steelers (21st), though it will depend on how early Jeanty is selected — perhaps No. 6 to Vegas.

The nation’s No. 3 leading rusher’s game reminds of former NFL back DeShaun Foster, and there’s a lot of Joe Mixon in there, too. A career similar to the latter would be a major win for fantasy purposes, and Hampton should be considered a priority RB2/No. 3 in 2025 drafts, depending upon where he lands.

Cowboys dead last in NFC spending at this position, just $3 million before free agency, draft

A review of what the Cowboys have at RB, what they’ll do once the league year starts with free agency and the draft.

The Cowboys have completed the mission. After heavily investing in the running back position in both draft and financial capital, things have bottomed out. In 2016, Dallas invested the No. 4 overall pick on the position, drafting Ezekiel Elliott. Three years later they invested financially making him the highest paid player in the history of the position.

Four years after that, while still carrying $just under $6 million in dead money after releasing Elliott, they slapped a $10 million franchise tag on Tony Pollard. Still, even in 2024, they still had $6.4 million in space being used by Elliott’s old contract. So it is just now that they’ve landed on the less invested side of things in that regard.

And landed their with authority, it might be added. The Cowboys churned out another 1,000 yard rusher, but he is a free agent, leaving just three players with under 100 total carries amongst them remaining on the roster.

So what comes next?

Rostered: $3.09 million in cap space

The Cowboys have three players under contract for 2025, Deuce Vaughn, Malik Davis and Hunter Luepke, who count for only $3.09 million in cap space. That’s the lowest total among all NFC teams and 30th overall.

None of the three backs have proven much, with only Luepke feeling like he has a great chance to stick.

Pending Free Agents

Rico Dowdle, the team’s starter the majority of the season and bell cow the last half of it, hits free agency for the first time. Undrafted in 2020, an injury stole his 2021 season and it took him until this year to become a consistent contributor. He’s seen as the fourth or fifth-best back available in free agency after averaging 4.6 yards a carry on his way to 1.079 rushing yards with another 249 through the air.

Dowdle’s average is a true representation of what to expect on any given carry, as his longest run was just 27 yards and he rarely broke off big gains.

The Cowboys are likely looking for someone with more juice to lead the way in their new play-action based system.

Prediction: Dowdle signs elsewhere.

External Free Agents

The Cowboys are likely going to want to meet all types of runners on their offseason roster before making their way to the draft. Luepke is the short-yardage guy, and he’s expected to make the 2025 roster regardless. Davis has the all-around label and Vaughn… well Vaughn has a touching story.

The Cowboys will likely be looking for a speed merchant style of back, but more than likely at a discount.

Prediction: Jordan Mason could see free agency this year. He’s a restricted free agent but was undrafted and it would be a big ask for the 49ers to offer him a second-round tender while also paying Christian McCaffrey big money. If he comes free, he’s the guy that would make a ton of sense to spend the NFL version of the mid-level exception on. A two year, $7 million deal with two void yearsbmay get him in the fold.

2025 NFL Draft

The Cowboys are expected to be players in the market for a top running back in a deep class. Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty may slide down to No. 12 and make the decision very hard on Will McClay and company.

If not, Omarion Hampton (UNC) and Treyveon Henderson (OSU) could be second and third-round targets who offer breakaway speed at any given moment.

Prediction: The Cowboys go elsewhere with their top pick, Hampton is snatched before they hit the clock in Round 2 and Henderson is the pick in Round 3.

Podcast: Who are the top five RBs in the 2025 NFL draft?

The Browns may need a new running back earlier in the NFL draft than many expect. Who are the top five in the class they could target?

The Cleveland Browns could look for a running back in the 2025 NFL draft, so who are the best ones?

With All-Pro Nick Chubb entering free agency after back-to-back season-ending injuries, there is a ton of uncertainty at the running back position in Cleveland. While Chubb wants to return to Cleveland, there is much left up in the air right now for the team to navigate.

Good thing the guys over at Daft on Draft have watched the tape and have broken down their top five running backs in the NFL draft. They talk about it on the Daft on Draft Podcast. Could the Browns target one of these five guys?

This podcast can be heard on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also find it on YouTube below:

2025 NFL draft: Giants make curious decision in latest The Athletic mock

The New York Giants make a curious and interesting decision in the latest two-round mock draft from The Athletic.

Mock draft season is going strong at this point and everyone who is anyone has begun to publish their projections. Most have the New York Giants selecting a quarterback with the No. 3 overall pick but the name often varies.

We’ve seen mock drafts where the Giants select Shedeur Sanders, Cam Ward, Jalen Milroe, and even Jaxon Dart.

That’s precisely what they do in the latest mock draft from Nick Baumgardner and Scott Dochterman of The Athletic.

I’m still torn between Ward and Sanders for QB1, and there are days it feels like Sanders is more ready right now to lead a successful offense. But, long-term, Ward — who improved every day of his lengthy college career — could have the higher ceiling.

What is so curious or odd about that, you might be asking? Well, that’s not the strange part.

Baumgardner and Dochterman compiled a two-round mock draft and it’s what they have the Giants doing with the No. 34 overall pick that raises an eyebrow.

34. New York Giants: Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina

Those of us at Giants Wire have projected a running back to Big Blue in our own mock drafts but certainly not in the second round. With so many other pressing needs, it would be unexpected for general manager Joe Schoen to draft someone like Omarion Hampton.

Baumgardner and Dochterman offer no explanation for this projection but it is especially odd considering offensive lineman Wyatt Milum was available to them.

This is not a knock on Hampton, who many believe is RB2 behind Ashton Jeanty. But the Giants already have a starter in Tyrone Tracy Jr. and are stuck with veteran Devin Singletary for at least another season. From a value vs. need perspective, Hampton at No. 34 just doesn’t seem to fit.

With all of that having been said, adding Hampton as a short-yardage back wouldn’t be the worst decision in the world. Perhaps not ideal with so many other needs, but not worth throwing a remote control over.

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Omarion Hampton to reigning Super Bowl Champs in latest USA TODAY Sports NFL Mock Draft

Will Omarion Hampton go to a Super Bowl winner in this year’s NFL Draft?

The North Carolina Tar Heels enjoyed yet another solid offense during the 2024 college football season, though due to consistent injuries along the offensive line and a revolving door at quarterback, it wasn’t the explosive unit we’re accustomed to seeing.

There was one player on UNC’s offense who played a level higher than all his teammates: running back Omarion Hampton.

North Carolina’s star back collected his second-consecutive 1,000-yard season on the ground, finishing with 1,660 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns. Hampton climbed the Tar Heel record books, collected another 200-yard rushing game and proved why he’s amongst college football’s best.

It should come as no surprise that, due to his sustained success in two seasons as UNC’s starting running back, Hampton is a highly-sought after NFL Draft pick.

In USA TODAY Sports’ latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft, which showcases several media outlets guessing who each team will take, Sports Illustrated has Omarion Hampton 32nd overall (first round) to the Kansas City Chiefs.

“He probably won’t be placed above Iowa’s zone-running standout Kaleb Johnson in most ballcarrier rankings, but Hampton is a tremendous downhill power-gap runner, which fits the direction Kansas City’s offense turned this season. The 6’2″, 220-pound Hampton rushed for 1,660 yards, the third-most in college football, while scoring 15 touchdowns this season.”

Kansas City, which has an AFC Championship rematch with the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, January 26, is trying for its third-straight Super Bowl title. The Chiefs currently have Kareem Hunt, Isiah Pacheco, Carson Steele and Samaje Perine, so Hampton would have quite the battle against a solid depth chart.

Outside of Hunt, no one in KC’s current running back room is a home-run hitter. Hampton, who was college football’s best back behind Ashton Jeanty and Kaleb Johnson, would be a nice fit for the reigning Super Bowl Champs.

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Where does ESPN rank Omarion Hampton amongst 2025 NFL Draft prospects?

Is Omarion Hampton the 2025 NFL Draft’s top running back prospect?

It’s tough to find a strong, consistently productive running back in today’s football world – but in the 2025 NFL Draft, there are several top backs who can make an immediate impact from Day One.

One of our favorite running backs prospects, who we watched dominate the college football landscape for the past two season, is UNC running back Omarion Hampton.

A North Carolina native, Hampton took over the starting running back job just two games into 2023. Hampton blossomed even further in 2024, rushing for 1,660 yards and 15 touchdowns, while climbing the Tar Heel record books.

Hampton is now preparing to play football at the next level. In ESPN NFL Draft analyst Matt Miller’s rankings of the top 2025 prospects, Hampton is 46th overall and the third-ranked running back.

“Hampton is rumored to have 4.4 speed to go with his excellent frame,” Miller said. “He has experience in pass protection, and he worked well as a receiver this season (38 catches) while rushing for 1,660 yards (third in the nation) and 15 touchdowns. He bounces off tacklers, and his decisiveness in a one-cut offense has him in my top 50. Hampton is a dream for any outside zone rushing attack.”

British Brooks earned UNC’s starting job ahead of the 2023 season, rushing for over 100 yards in the opener against South Carolina, but a 234-yard performance against App State gave Hampton the job for good.

Hampton picked up right where he left off during the 2024 opener at Minnesota, rushing for 129 yards. Two 200-yard performances, 1,660 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns later, Hampton solidified himself as a top running back in college football – and with tons of NFL potential.

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2025 NFL Draft could be a goldmine for running back-needy Steelers

The Steelers may need to reload at running back in 2025, and this draft class could offer the perfect solution to bolster their ground game.

A Najee Harris-less Steelers rushing attack is what 2025 may have in store, and while RB Jaylen Warren has been dynamic in both the receiving and running game, he has yet to prove he can withstand the full workload of the rushing attack. However, this issue may be easily solved in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Enter the 2025 NFL Draft’s running backs to alleviate these concerns: Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty, North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton, Arizona State’s Cam Skattebo, Tennessee’s Dylan Sampson, Kansas’ Devin Neal, and Ohio State’s duo of TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins—any of these prospects may be drafted within the first two rounds.

Jeanty is without a doubt the strongest of these running backs, projected to go within the first 16 picks of the draft, but strong talent may exist beyond, such as Skattebo and Judkins in the second or third round.

This class is arguably the strongest running back class in recent memory, and the Pittsburgh Steelers have positioned themselves perfectly to take advantage of the 2025 NFL Draft.

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Two UNC football stars make ESPN’s list for Top 100 players of 2024-2025 season

Where did ESPN rank Omarion Hampton and Willie Lampkin on its Top-100 list?

We knew the North Carolina Tar Heels would experience growing pains during the 2024 college football season, as they had to replace several talented starters from a year ago, most notably Drake Maye and Tez Walker.

UNC endured a 6-7 season, which ended with three straight losses and a disappointing showing in the Fenway Bowl. North Carolina switched between Max Johnson, Conner Harrell and Jacolby Criswell at quarterback, while dealing with constant injuries along its offensive line.

There were two Tar Heels, however, who shined through in an overall supbar year: star running back Omarion Hampton and guard Willie Lampkin.

In ESPN’s ranking of the Top 100 players from the 2024-2025 college football season, Hampton landed at 21st and Lampkin was 98th.

Check out what ESPN had to say about Hampton, who declared for the NFL Draft in December:

“In any year that didn’t include Ashton Jeanty, Hampton’s production would’ve been considered a triumph. Despite North Carolina’s offense being in tatters for much of the season — including starting three different QBs — he was a star from the outset. After rushing for 1,500 yards in 2023, Hampton somehow improved on that tally without Drake Maye in the backfield with him in 2024. He finished the season with 1,660 rushing yards, the third most nationally, and was one of just three players in the country to finish with more than 2,000 yards from scrimmage.”

Here’s what ESPN said about Lampkin’s final year in Chapel Hill:

“The winner of the ACC’s top blocking award, Lampkin hardly looks the part of a star in the trenches, but he plays like a giant. Lampkin — 5-11, 290 pounds — arrived at UNC as a transfer from Coastal Carolina, and former head coach Mack Brown even admitted he doubted Lampkin could hold up against the bigger, stronger competition in the ACC. Not only did Lampkin hold his own, he thrived. Over 816 snaps at right guard, Lampkin allowed just three pressures and had just four blown run blocks, paving the way for a UNC offense that rushed for 182 yards per game and helped Omarion Hampton to become a finalist for the Doak Walker Award.”

It’ll be weird not watching Hampton don the Carolina Blue in 2025. Same goes for Lampkin. I’m hoping both find great homes in the NFL and we’ll be able to watch them on Sundays.

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Omarion Hampton a first-round 2025 NFL Draft pick according to USA TODAY Sports

Omarion Hampton will play in the NFL next fall, but which team will choose him in April’s draft?

The North Carolina Tar Heels played to another disappointing finish during their college football season, losing three-consecutive games to finish 6-7.

UNC went through three different starting quarterbacks in Max Johnson, Conner Harrell and Jacolby Criswell. North Carolina limped into the Fenway Bowl – and lost 27-14 to UConn, its fifth-straight defeat in bowl season.

Despite the Tar Heels’ continued struggles on the football field, there was one to keep watching them: star running back Omarion Hampton.

With the 2025 NFL Draft just three months away, Hampton is being mocked as a first-round pick – by two separate media outlets – in USA TODAY Sports’ collection of mock drafts.

The Draft Network has the Los Angeles Chargers taking Hampton 22nd overall, while NJ.com sees the Green Bay Packers choosing Hampton 24th overall.

Hampton would undoubtedly thrive in either the City of Angels or in cold, snowy Wisconsin, but the Chargers and Packers both have plenty of running back talent on their rosters.

Los Angeles is starting former Ohio State running back J.K. Dobbins. Behind Dobbins is former Miami (FL) and Rutgers back Gus Edwards, former Michigan back Hassan Haskins and Troy standout Kimani Vidal.

Green Bay is starting one of the NFL’s best running backs in Josh Jacobs, but the depth behind him is thin in NFL experience with Emanuel Wilson, Chris Brooks and former USC back MarShawn Lloyd.

Hampton continued showing why he’s one of the best backs in college football this season, rushing for 1,660 yards and 15 touchdowns. Hampton climbed the UNC record books and collected his second-straight 1,000-yard season, which included a pair of 200-yard outings.

Whichever NFL team selects Hampton in April is getting a talented, hard-working back who’s just as good a person as he is a football player.

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UNC running back changes his mind, withdraws from transfer portal

UNC re-adds a running back to its room for the 2025 college football season.

With Omarion Hampton recently – but unexpectedly – declaring for the NFL Draft, the North Carolina Tar Heels will be tasked with finding a starting running back on their 2025 football roster.

UNC already has freshman Davion Gause, who thrived in relief of Hampton during the Charlotte game. North Carolina could also go with freshman Charleston French, who saw limited action, amongst others.

Regardless of who gets the starting running back nod in 2025, the Tar Heels just recently received a welcomed, experienced addition to their roster.

Caleb Hood, the senior running back out of Rockingham, NC who redshirted 2024 after limited action in four appearances, withdrew his name from the transfer portal on Friday, December 27.

Hood carried the football seven times for just three years this season, plus he added three receptions for 29 yards in the Charlotte game. Through four seasons in Chapel Hill, Hood has 393 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns, 157 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown.

Hood isn’t guaranteed a starting spot in 2025, but next season will be his best chance to start. As mentioned earlier in this story, Gause and French are the only returning backs with 2024 action.

The Tar Heels also entered their 2022 football season without a clear-cut starter at running back – and Hood got the first crack at proving himself. Hood was on track for a solid season, compiling 250 rushing yards across four starts and seven appearances, before suffering a season-ending injury.

I feel confident in Bill Belichick’s ability to land another running back or two, whether he comes from high school or the transfer portal, but Hood’s decision is another major roster victory for UNC

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