Tag: Omarion Hampton

Omarion Hampton sets new career-high in win over Wake Forest

Saturday night cemented why Omarion Hampton is one of the best players in UNC football history.

I’m running out of ways to write about how talented of a running back UNC’s Omarion Hampton is.

On Saturday night in a closer-than-expected 31-24 victory over Wake Forest, Hampton ran for 244 yards and a touchdown on 35 carries (7 YPC). Hampton set a new career-high with his yardage output, breaking his previous best of 234, set in North Carolina’s 40-34 overtime victory against App State in 2023.

“It’s as good as any,” Tar Heels head coach Mack Brown said, when asked about where Hampton’s career game ranks amongst running backs he’s coached. “I mean, 249 yards is just absolutely unbelievable. I was on a radio show before the season started and somebody said, “where does he rank in the great backs you’ve coached?” And I said he’s in the middle of it. He really is. And there’s some great ones. Everybody in the country would want Omarion Hampton on their team, he’s gonna be a great pro player.”

Not only did Big O set his new career high, but Saturday was Hampton’s eighth-straight game with 100 yards, a new Tar Heels record.

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Hampton is now tied with former UNC quarterback Marquise Williams at 35 rushing touchdowns, which is third all-time. Hampton now has 3,327 career rushing yards, climbing North Carolina legends Don McCauley and Kelvin Bryant on Saturday night.

“It’s so real of a feeling, just knowing that making history here, always growing up a fan, being here and everything like that,” Hampton said on climbing up the all-time list. “It’s so real of a feeling.”

On a night where Jacolby Criswell and his receivers struggled to get the passing game clicking, Hampton’s output was much-needed.

“We just knew we had to make something work because we were just staying on each other, just going to the sidelines knowing we have to make something happen, knowing that whatever it is we’ve gotta make it work,” Hampton said. “I feel like (offensive coordinator) Chip Lindsey did a good job play-calling and everything, to help us set up different runs and everything for the defense. I feel like it just all planned out well.”

To cap off his legendary night, Hampton scored the Tar Heels’ final touchdown. Hampton channeled Philadelphia Eagles star Saquon Barkley, one of his favorite pros to watch, on his hurdle-and-score touchdown.

“Yeah he’s definitely crazy,” Hampton said about Saquon. “I’ve always been a fan of Saquon, just his run style and everything like that. Always watched film on him and everything like that. He’s definitely a super-talented guy.”

UNC is extremely lucky to have a back of Hampton’s caliber. His next chance to break even more records comes on Saturday, Nov. 23 in a 12 p.m. kickoff at Boston College.

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Omarion Hampton’s big night, second-half defense helps UNC beat Wake Forest and extend bowl streak

Omarion Hampton enjoyed the game of his life Saturday. UNC’s defense held off Wake Forest late, helping the Tar Heels to a huge win that extend their bowl streak.

If the North Carolina Tar Heels didn’t have Omarion Hampton on Saturday night against Wake Forest, I think tonight’s outcome would look a lot different.

If UNC’s defense didn’t step up in the fourth quarter – albeit an almost collapse – I think we could be saying the same thing.

Thanks to Big O and a resurgent defensive unit, North Carolina beat Wake Forest, 31-17, for its third-consecutive victory and to make a bowl game for the sixth-straight year.

Hampton set multiple career highs – and rewrote the Tar Heel record books – in the best game of his collegiate career Saturday night.

Hampton carried the football a career-high 33 times and set a new career-high with 244 rushing yards, in addition to scoring a fourth-quarter touchdown that extended UNC’s lead to two possessions. He’s now fifth in career rushing yards (3,327), passing Don McCauley and Kelvin Bryant on the night. Hampton’s 35 rushing touchdowns also tie him with former North Carolina quarterback Marquise Williams for third all-time.

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While Hampton stole the headlines, North Carolina’s defense also played a big role.

The Tar Heels allowed a Wake Forest touchdown with under two minutes remaining in the final quarter, but kept Wake scoreless for nearly 20 minutes – after allowing 14 third-quarter points. UNC’s lockdown defense spanned five drives, in which Wake only gained 27 yards on 15 plays.

North Carolina looked lost at one point this season, losing four-straight games and reverting to its old defensive tendencies.

Now, thanks to the best running back in the country and a resurgent defense. the Tar Heels are bowl eligible for a sixth-straight year and one of the ACC’s hottest teams.

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UNC star Omarion Hampton one of just 16 nominated for prestigious POTY Award

Omarion Hampton is one of the best players in college football. You’ll want to see which award list he recently landed on.

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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Which UNC running back will redshirt remainder of 2024 season?

What is running back Caleb Hood’s future with the UNC football program?

The North Carolina Tar Heels have a thing for developing star running backs. Some might even call UNC “Running Back U” – all you have to do is look at the extensive list of 1,000-yard rushers.

Over the past two seasons, Omarion Hampton is the star in question. He’s continuing to climb up North Carolina’s record books – and is in the midst of his second-consecutive 1,000-yard campaign.

Because of Hampton’s immense talent, it’s difficult for other Tar Heel running backs to find playing time.

Such is the case in particular for Caleb Hood, the in-state senior from Rockingham, who UNC head coach Mack Brown said plans to redshirt the remainder of 2024.

Hood, initially recruited as a quarterback out of Richmond High School, only has 391 rushing yards through three-and-a-half seasons. Hood found limited success as a 4-game starter in 2022: 250 rushing yards, 119 receiving yards and one touchdown, but an injury shortened his season.

In just three games this year, Hood has one rushing yards and 29 receiving yards. Hampton is undoubtedly the clear top back, but the emergence of freshman Davion Gause has also pushed Hood down the depth chart. USC transfer Darwin Barlow is also in the mix, but like Hood, he’s finding a tough path to playing time.

I truly hope Hood decides to stay at North Carolina for the 2025 college football season, as the team will certainly need him. Hampton is likely heading to the NFL, while Barlow exhausts his eligibility, leaving Gause as the only other back with extensive game experience.

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Omarion Hampton and Beau Atkinson earn well-deserved ACC Weekly Honors

North Carolina dominated Florida State across the board in ACC football action on Saturday afternoon. Omarion Hampton and Beau Atkinson were the Tar Heels’ greatest factors.

All of a sudden, the North Carolina Tar Heels look like a competent ACC football program.

On Saturday, UNC dominated Florida State, a preseason CFP contender, 35-11 in a game which was decided in the second quarter. North Carolina’s defense played a massive role in the outcome, but it was star running back Omarion Hampton who nearly single-handedly gave his team a victory.

The Tar Heels generated seven sacks, led by 3.5 from reserve lineman Beau Atkinson. UNC held the Seminoles to under 100 yards in the first half, then 201 throughout the whole game.

Hampton scored a career-high five touchdowns: four on the ground, then a 49-yard score on a shovel pass from Jacolby Criswell.

For their impacts on Saturday’s game, it’s no surprise that Atkinson and Hampton were named ACC Players of the Week. The ACC tabbed Atkinson Defensive Lineman of the Week, plus it named Hampton Running Back of the Week.

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Hampton continues to showcase he’s one of the best running backs in program history, generating 265 scrimmage yards to go along with his five touchdowns. Hampton currently sits at 1,178 rushing yards, his second-consecutive season with over 1,000 yards, plus he continues to climb the program’s all-time rushing yards list.

Atkinson, who isn’t listed as a starter on North Carolina’s depth chart, is quickly proving why he’ll be a key piece of the future. Atkinson has 5.5 sacks in his past two games, 6.5 this season and has nearly doubled his 2023 total.

The Tar Heels have a bye this coming weekend, then make their long-awaited return home to host Wake Forest on Nov. 15. If Hampton and Atkinson have big games, UNC will finally reach bowl eligibility.

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Omarion Hampton reaches 1,000 yards in just eight games

Omarion Hampton dominates again this week and reaches the 1,000-yard mark in just eight games.

The UNC football season hasn’t been one that fans would like to remember. It started with three straight wins and was followed by four straight losses. This week, they got back on the winning side at Virginia to even their record at 4-4 after eight games and a bye week.

However, the most consistent and best play week-in and week-out has been running back Omarion Hampton. Hampton is a top-five back in the nation and through just eight games has already topped the 1,000-yard mark.

Last year, Hampton had just 1,504 yards and didn’t reach 1,000 yards until Week 10 against Campbell.

In all but one game this year, Hampton has totaled over 100 yards rushing. He ran for 129 yards against Minnesota on the road followed by 77 yards against Charlotte in Week 2, a game where he got hurt and played just half.

He ran for 210 yards and three touchdowns against NC Central, followed by 139 yards and three touchdowns against James Madison. Hampton totaled 103 yards on the road at Duke and 106 yards against Pittsburgh.

In Week 6 against Pittsburgh, he totaled 137 yards against Georgia Tech, which put Hampton at 901 yards total on the season. This week, he ran for 105 yards and two touchdowns, eclipsing the 1,000-yard mark on the season.

Hampton is averaging 125 yards per game, which would project him to finish the year with 1,509 yards.

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UNC dominates Virginia from opening kickoff, gets first ACC win with complete performance

The Tar Heels marched into Scott Stadium Saturday afternoon and turned their season around against Virginia, dominating in every aspect of a 27-point blowout.

I don’t know if it was the bye week, the beautiful fall air or just a hunger for victory, but the UNC football team put together its most complete performance of 2024 on Saturday afternoon at Virginia.

North Carolina’s offense moved the ball and scored at will, defense prevented the Cavaliers from gaining any sort of momentum and, when the final seconds ticked away in the fourth quarter, the Tar Heels left Charlottesville with a 41-14 victory.

Today’s win meant more than just any other win – it was in honor of Tylee Craft.

UNC (4-4, 1-3 ACC) took the lead for good on Jacolby Criswell’s first touchdown pass, a 37-yard strike to J.J. Jones with 5:23 left in the opening quarter, then distanced itself from Virginia with a 17-point second quarter.

North Carolina’s offense was good in the first half, but its defense was great. The Tar Heels generated six sacks, after not recording a single one two weeks ago – and held the Cavaliers to under 100 yards.

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When the game ended, UNC increased its sack total to 10, led by three from Kaimon Rucker. North Carolina limited Virginia to 288 yards, the lowest yardage total an opponent has gained against the Tar Heels since Week 3, when NC Central gained just 167 yards.

Omarion Hampton delivered yet another signature performance for the UNC offense, carrying the football 26 times for 105 yards and two touchdown. Not only was today Hampton’s third game of the year with multiple touchdowns – or sixth-consecutive game with 100 yards – but Hampton reached 1,000 rushing yards for the second straight season.

All year long, North Carolina had been looking for a wide receiver to step up lead its unit. J.J. Jones did exactly that today, catching five Criswell passes for a career-high 129 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

Now two weeks removed from a fourth-consecutive defeat, the Tar Heels only need two more wins to reach a bowl game.

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Chiefs scouting report: North Carolina Tar Heels RB Omarion Hampton

North Carolina Tar Heels running back Omarion Hampton could be an ideal target for the Kansas City #Chiefs in the 2025 NFL draft.

Isiah Pacheco and undrafted rookie Carson Steele are the only running backs among the five on Kansas City’s active roster or injured reserve list under contract for next season. The Chiefs must add depth through the 2025 NFL draft to replace their losses and protect themselves against future injuries.

North Carolina Tarheels running back Omarion Hampton is a dense rusher with a muscular build. He packs the power to shed tackle attempts in the backfield or at the line of scrimmage and turn negative plays into nice gains. Hampton drops his pad level in the hole to meet would-be tacklers and dish out punishment.

Hampton’s contact balance and powerful leg drive help him produce yards after contact. He moves the pile in short-yardage situations and drags linebackers or defensive backs for extra yardage. He needs to improve his stiff arm to maximize his power profile.

Hampton lacks elite speed and elusiveness in space, but he makes some surprising jump cuts for a player his size. His speed is good enough to create chunk plays and shouldn’t scare teams away from selecting him in the third round.

Hampton offers some third-down value. He’s a superb pass protector and has the size to stonewall blitzers and some edge rushers. He doesn’t run a larger route tree but makes nice catches outside of his frame.

North Carolina goes on the road to face Virginia at 11 a.m. CST on October 26. The Tar Heels lost their last three games to ACC opponents. Virginia is 1-2 in their last three in-conference games.

2025 UNC football commit Demon June makes history on Friday night

Demon June continues to look like another future star running back in Chapel Hill. He made North Carolina high school history on Friday night.

There’s been a plethora of talented running backs to don a North Carolina Tar Heels uniform.

UNC currently has Omarion Hampton, who’s well on track for his second-consecutive 1,000-yard season. Ty Chandler, Michael Carter and Javonte Williams are all former Tar Heels now in the NFL, while there’s bound to be more talent coming through Chapel Hill.

If you don’t already know Demon June, you need to familiarize yourself with him.

June, one of 14 commits in North Carolina’s 2025 recruiting class, exploded to make high school football history on Friday night. In the Jacksonville (NC) High School Cardinals’ 62-43 victory over D.H. Conley, which helped them stay in a tie for second place in their conference, June gashed the Vikings’ defense for 47 rushing yards – and six touchdowns – on 23 carries.

Not only was June’s massive night a personal career high in both rushing yards and touchdowns, but he recorded the 32nd-most yards ever in a North Carolina high school football game.

Let’s compare June’s season to Hampton’s current season at UNC. Hampton currently has 901 rushing yards, seven touchdowns and five straight games recording 100 yards, including his second career 200-yard outing against NC Central in Week 3. Hampton has played in seven games.

June is slightly outpacing Hampton in yards and scores. June now has 1,055 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns – also through seven games. Playing against high school defenses is significantly easier, but it still presents a massive challenge.

How much better will June get over the course of his senior campaign? I can’t predict the future, but the Tar Heels will be extremely lucky to have him next season.

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Omarion Hampton a shocking omission from which Midseason All-America team

The CBS Sports Midseason All-American team made a shocking omission…

It’s easy for a great player on a good team, such as Clemson running back Phil Mafah, to get overlooked amongst his talented teammates.

When there’s a great player on a bad team, such as Omarion Hampton on the North Carolina Tar Heels, that talent is easier to be recognized.

Hampton rose to prominence for UNC last season, recording 1,504 rushing yards to finish fifth nationally amongst FBS running backs. Hampton is already on track to surpass that production through just seven games this year, sitting third amongst FBS running backs with 901 rushing yards, second to Iowa‘s Kaleb Johnson and Boise State breakout star Ashton Jeanty.

With Hampton clearly being the best player on a bad North Carolina squad, it was surprising to see him left off the CBS Sports Midseason All-America team.

The team only had two running back slots, though, with both Johnson and Jeanty taking them. Johnson and Jeanty are both outperforming Hampton, though, so they deserve the two slots.

I know this isn’t fantasy football, but if there were a flex spot, Hampton would be on the All-American list. Hampton has five consecutive 100-yard games, including his second career 200-yard outing in the Tar Heels’ 45-10 domination of NC Central (also their last win), plus seven touchdowns.

UNC still has five more regular-season games left in 2024 – and Hampton still has plenty of gas left in the tank. Hampton needs 819 more rushing yards to set North Carolina’s single-season record, which Don McCauley did in 1970.

It’s disappointing to not see Hampton on CBS Sports’ Midseason All-America team, but he’s focused on helping the Tar Heels turn their season around, as they’re in great danger of missing a bowl game for the first time since 2018.

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