Tag: Omarion Hampton

Kaimon Rucker, Omarion Hampton ranked amongst Top 100 returners

Will Kaimon Rucker and Omarion Hampton have big seasons again for UNC this fall?

Next year is bound to be interesting for the UNC football team.

There’s no more Drake Maye in the pocket, slinging the football at lightning-fast speed or using his legs to evade pressure. There’s no more Tez Walker on the outside, catching insane passes then blazing past the secondary.

Oh – there’s also the transfer portal, which has seen 2023 defensive starters Kedrick Bingley-Jones and Tayon Holloway leave.

There’s two players who you should be excited about next season: Kaimon Rucker and Omarion Hampton.

Rucker made a name for himself by driving the ballcarrier backwards, as he led North Carolina with 15 tackles for loss in 2023. Hampton was tied atop the NCAA leaderboard in rushing yards around Thanskgiving, but that title went to Oklahoma State’s Ollie Gordon II.

With how productive they were last season, both Rucker (59) and Hampton (65) were named amongst CBS Sports’ Top 100 returning players.

Let’s see what CBS sports had to say about Hampton:

“Hampton led the ACC with almost six yards a touch en route to a 1,500-yard, 15-touchdown season,” Blake Brockermeyer said. “The bruising back added another 30 catches for 232 yards and a touchdown. Hampton had 36 explosive runs and excels in the zone scheme where he can cut back at the lineman’s heels. Excellent feet and tough to arm tackle. An area for improvement? He had three fumbles last season.”

Now onto Rucker’s rundown:

“Rucker is somewhat undersized but doesn’t let that keep him from the quarterback (8.5 sacks, 15 TFL in 2023),” Brockermeyer said. “He plays with a demonic edge and is a great team leader. North Carolina has plenty of raw talent on defense, but Rucker is one of the few who has put it all together.

Fans will not get to see Rucker participate in the Spring Game on Saturday, April 20, but there’s a strong chance they’ll see Hampton, who’ll be one of college football’s best backs in the fall.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

UNC Football spring game announced

Details about the UNC football program’s annual Spring game as they continue to move forward to the 2024 season.

The annual UNC spring football game will take place on April 20th at 3 P.M. eastern time and is free to the public.

As we inch closer to the football season, fans get their first look at what’s to come this season. UNC is already six practices in this year and will look completely different from years passed, with a new quarterback sliding in to try and lead the Tar Heels to the Promise Land.

Fighting for the starting role is sophomore [autotag]Conner Harrell[/autotag], who started his first career start in the Duke Mayo Bowl last season. The other quarterback looking to fill Drake Maye’s cleats is Texas A&M transfer [autotag]Max Johnson[/autotag], who has a boatload of experience, playing two years at LSU and two with the Aggies.

One position that isn’t up for grabs is the running back spot, with [autotag]Omarion Hampton[/autotag] expected to be in the driver’s seat. Last season, Hampton was spectacular as the driving force in the backfield, rushing for 1,504 yards (second most in a single season in UNC history).

Before the spring game kicks off, UNC will be having a fan fest at the Bell Tower starting at 1 P.M. and ending at 2:30. Public parking (free), will be available at the Bell Tower deck (ADA parking), Bowels lot, Cardinal deck, Craige deck, Jackson deck and Manning lot.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

What will the debut of NCAA Football 25 look like?

NCAA Football, arguably the greatest collegiate sports video games series ever, paused after 2014. We have some good news for you…

Did you ever spend your Fall Saturday mornings in front of your Playstation 3, doing a test run of that day’s college football games on NCAA Football?

How about coming home from school or work, popping the game in your system and building your own Heisman Trophy campaign?

We missed out on so many years of this storied franchise, but that wait for the next installation of NCAA Football is finally over.

On Thursday, Feb. 15, EA Sports released a trailer for NCAA Football 25.

In other words, this means we’ll finally be able to lead the UNC football squad to its first National Championship.

If you recall, this popular video-game series stopped after NCAA Football 14. Ed O’Bannon, a former NCAA Championship-winning basketball player at UCLA, fought and won a lawsuit against the NCAA for failing to compensate student-athletes for their in-game appearances.

Enough with the legal background – let’s dive into a few specifics of this game, according to this article ESPN’s Michael Rothstein published earlier today.

What first stands out, to me, is that each student-athlete who opts into the game will receive $600 and a game copy. This is a far cry from past versions, where past players wouldn’t gain a single buck.

Dynasty Mode will return – can Omarion Hampton run the Tar Heels to a National Title? Road to Glory – a mode where you can create your own player, start them in high school and choose to play your college ball from a variety of schools that recruit you – is also back.

New and unique to NCAA Football’s relaunch, NIL will be present in both Dynasty Mode and Road to Glory. We’re not quite sure on how this will look exactly, but something to keep an eye on ahead of its projected summer release date.

“If you think about representing what’s happening in the sport, when we talk about things like Dynasty and Road to Glory, there’s new ways to recruit, there’s transfer portals, there’s NIL, there’s a lot of things to think about,” said Daryl Holt, EA Sports’ senior vice president and group general manager of EA Tiburon. “That has really added to the complexity and the intrigue of the sport that we want to make sure is there for our players.”

Conference realignment will be present. For UNC, that means trips to Cal-Berkeley, Stanford and Southern Methodist. There will not be real-life coaches in this edition, meaning that guys like Michigan’s Sherrone Moore won’t be seen marching up and down the sidelines, but they could re-appear in future editions.

After spending most of my high school and college years playing NCAA Football, it’s thrilling to know that its return is just moments away.

Now presenting, your 2025 College Football Playoff National Champion…North Carolina Tar Heels!

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

CBS Sports’ Josh Pate has UNC football ranked in top half of ACC ahead of 2024 season

Even with key departures across the board, UNC is projected to be ranked amongst the ACC’s top half ahead of the 2024 football season.

The 2023 UNC football season went a lot like 2022 – promising start that has fans finally thinking, “Have we turned a corner,” only to be followed by another disappointing collapse.

These finishes are frustrating because the talent is there, but it may be a coaching or scheme issue. North Carolina’s defense was a major reason for its 2023 end, allowing Georgia Tech and a struggling UVA squad to combine for over 1,000 yards in consecutive weeks, forcing itself to ultimately change defensive coordinators.

Even with Drake Maye departing for the NFL Draft, there’s still a lot of hope surrounding UNC on the gridiron.

In CBS Sports’ ACC Program Rankings, Josh Pate has North Carolina ranked sixth heading into the 2024 campaign.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C3YmOBSRG3Q/

The Tar Heels will be led offensively by star running back Omarion Hampton, who at one point led the country in yards after contact. Their defense, which will play under first-year DC Geoff Collins, is anchored by the return of Jack linebacker Kaimon Rucker.

UNC’s greatest question mark will be at quarterback, but it’s because it has two talented options at the position. North Carolina can either roll with sophomore Conner Harrell, who started the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, or Texas A&M transfer Max Johnson.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

Omarion Hampton picks up AP All-American honors

UNC football running back Omarion Hampton picked up more All-American honors for his season.

North Carolina Tar Heels running back Omarion Hampton continues to rack up the postseason recognition.

With the 2023 regular season in the books, Hampton is starting to earn more honors for his impressive campaign with the Tar Heels. On Monday, Hampton picked up another one as he was named to the Associated Press All-American Second Team. 

Hampton was the lone North Carolina player to make the team, earning the Second Team honors as a running back with Audric Estime of Notre Dame.

The first team running backs were Oklahoma State’s Ollie Gordon II and Missouri’s Cody Schrader.

Hampton has picked up a handful of All-American and All-ACC honors over the past few weeks. And rightfully so.

The running back rushed for 1,442 yards and 15 touchdowns on 234 carries for the Tar Heels. He was the best running back in the ACC and deserves every honor he gets.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

Omarion Hampton’s strong season earns his spot on All-American list

UNC running back Omarion Hampton has quickly become one of college football’s best rushers this year. He just picked up another honor.

Before the college football season started, UNC’s plan was to roll with British Brooks as its starting running back.

Brooks missed all of the 2022 campaign with a knee ligament tear, making his return to game action that much more anticipated. He would be joining a talented running back room that included Elijah Green, Caleb Hood and Omarion Hampton, among others.

After a 100-yard performance in the Tar Heels’ season-opening win against South Carolina, however, Brooks saw his playing time dwindle. He ended the regular season with 329 rushing yards and two touchdowns, but a star emerged for UNC in the backfield – Hampton.

We knew Hampton had something special after the double-overtime win against App State, when he rushed for three touchdowns and a career-high 234 yards. Week 2 was just the first of seven 100-yard outings for the sophomore back out of Clayton, N.C., who currently sits fifth in the entire FBS with 1,442 rushing yards.

Hampton’s year him several honors, with the latest being a Walter Camp First Team All-American.

Before the UNC-N.C. State game over Thanksgiving weekend, Hampton was tied with Oklahoma State’s Ollie Gordon II atop the FBS leaderboard in rushing yards. The Wolfpack, led defensively by First Team All-American Payton Wilson, held Hampton to just 28 rushing yards on nine carries. This low output was also likely a result of UNC falling behind big early.

In addition to being named a Walter Camp First Team All-American, Hampton became Carolina’s first running back since 2021 to reach 1,000 rushing yards. His 1,442 rushing yards this year place him third in UNC single-season history, with him needing just 22 more to pass Elijah Hood for second.

If Hampton somehow racks up 279 rushing yards in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl against West Virginia on Wednesday, Dec. 27, he’ll be Carolina’s all-time, single-season record holder.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

Omarion Hampton picks up another All-American honor

UNC football running back Omarion Hampton earned Sports Illustrated All-America honors for the past season.

North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton is racking up the honors after another impressive season in 2023.

Hampton has already been named to the All-ACC Team by the Associated Press as well as the CBS Sports All-American Second Team. And now, to end this week he was honored by Sports Illustrated.

On Friday, Hampton was named a Second Team All-America by Sports Illustrated. The list was compiled by Pat Forde and Richard Johnson, featuring some of the best players in all of college football. He finished behind Ollie Gordon II of Oklahoma State and Cody Schrader of Missouri for the First Team.

Hampton was the only North Carolina player to make the All-America list for Sports Illustrated this year.

The running back is expected to return next season for the Tar Heels and should be one of the top backs in the country again. Hampton rushed for 1,442 yards on 234 carries. He also had 15 rushing touchdowns and added 1 receiving touchdown.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

Omarion Hampton named to CBS Sports All-America Team

North Carolina Tar Heel Omarion Hampton 1 of 3 ACC players named to the CBS Sports / 247Sports All-America Team.

The North Carolina football program might’ve not reached the heights they hoped for, but that didn’t stop UNC running back [autotag]Omarion Hampton[/autotag] from bursting into the conversation as the best running back in the nation.

Hampton has been joining the watch list for numerous awards, even becoming a finalist for the Doak Walker Award. that recognizes the best running back in the country. Well, Hampton collected another honor, being named to the 2023 CBS Sports 247Sports All-America Team.

The announcement came Wednesday afternoon, with Hampton named to the second team. Hampton was 1 of 3 total ACC players to crack the list, highlighting how special of a season it has been for the Tar Heel.

Hampton’s 1,442 rushing yards led the ACC, third in UNC history, and ranks fourth nationally in FBS. He’s also been a scoring machine with 15 touchdowns, which is eight in the country and fifth all-time in UNC history for a single season.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

Omarion Hampton named Doak Walker Award finalist

Omarion Hampton became the first UNC player to be named a finalist for the Doak Walker Award, awarded to the nation’s top running back.

It was a tough season for the UNC football program, starting 6-0 before finishing 2-4 in the final stretch. Despite the dark cloud over the program, there has been a light throughout the year, with Sophomore running back [autotag]Omarion Hampton[/autotag] having a breakout season.

Hampton has been in many conversations this season as one of the best running backs in the nation, adding his name to the watch list. His work hasn’t gone unnoticed, being named a finalist for the Doak Walker Award.

The Doak Walker Award is awarded to the nation’s top running back, an honor dating back to 1990. The three finalists for this honor include Hampton, Oklahoma’s Ollie Gordon II, and Missouri’s Cody Schrader.

Hampton this season has 1,442 rushing yards on 234 carries and 15 touchdowns. His monstrous runs have been highlighted all season, averaging 6.2 yards per attempt. Hampton became the first Tar Heel in history to be named a finalist for this award.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

Three UNC football players named First Team All-ACC

Three UNC football players were named to the All-ACC First Team announced on Tuesday afternoon.

The 2023 regular season didn’t end how the North Carolina Tar Heels had hoped for, going 8-4 and losing to both Clemson and NC State on the road to end the campaign.

But there were some players on the team that stood out and played at an All-Conference level.

On Tuesday, the Atlantic Coast Conference announced their All-Conference teams with the season complete and three Tar Heels earned First Team Honors.

Running back Omarion Hampton, tight end Bryson Nesbit, and linebacker Cedric Gray earned First Team All-ACC honors, being among the best in the conference. They were joined by Drake Maye (Second Team), Kaimon Rucker (Second Team), Noah Burnette (Second Team), Tez Walker (Third Team), Willie Lampkin (Third Team), and Power Echols (Third Team).

Alijah Huzzie, Spencer Rolland, Corey Gaynor and Myles Murphy were all named honorable mentions.

Hampton rushed for 1,442 yards which was best in the ACC and fourth in the country. He also had 16 total touchdowns on the year.  Nesbit had 41 catches for 585 receiving yards and five touchdowns. Defensively, Gray had 121 total tackles, which was second in the ACC.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.