Tag: Omarion Hampton

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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Where does Omarion Hampton rank amongst ESPN’s Top 25 college football players?

There’s a lot of good college football players, including UNC running back Omarion Hampton. Where does he rank on ESPN’s Top 25 players list?

There’s a simple offensive formula for the North Carolina Tar Heels’ football program: as Omarion Hampton goes, so does the whole team.

You would think that because of Hampton having the third-highest yardage total amongst FBS backs this season (901), UNC would be cruising through its season.

Sadly, such isn’t the case. Hampton has five-consecutive 100-yard outings, including a 210-yard, 3-touchdown performance in the blowout win over NC Central Week 3, but North Carolina is tied with NC State and California for the ACC’s worst record at 0-3. The Tar Heels are 3-4, but should really be 4-3 after blowing a golden chance to beat Georgia Tech last weekend.

You would also think that Hampton is amongst the best players in college football, but not according to ESPN, who made the shocking decision to leave Hampton off its midseason Top 25 players list.

I’m not saying that Hampton is THE best player in college football, but especially given that Hampton’s the best player on a bad UNC team, he should be on the list. It’s easier for people to pick out stars on a bad team, given they’re typically the only ones performing, but North Carolina doesn’t have a bad offense.

Hampton is already having a better 2024 than last year, as he could very well break the 1,000-yard mark next weekend at Virginia. If Hampton hits 1,000 yards, he’d be the first Tar Heels to do so in consecutive seasons since Michael Carter, who achieved the feat in 2019 and 2020.

Hampton not making ESPN’s Top 25 midseason list isn’t the end of the world, but it’s just shocking to virtually anyone who watches UNC football.

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Omarion Hampton could climb UNC record books Saturday

Omarion Hampton can cross another UNC all-time accolade off his list on Saturday.

There’s been a lot of great running backs to don a North Carolina Tar Heels uniform, such as Charlie “Choo Choo” Justice, Gio Bernard and Michael Carter.

There’s another great running back currently in Chapel Hill: Omarion Hampton, the in-state junior who is all but a lock to be a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Hampton can further cement himself as a UNC great this coming weekend against Pitt, only needing 18 rushing yards to become Top 10 in program history.

Hampton’s current season highlights why he is arguably the country’s top rusher. Despite North Carolina’s recent cold stretch, Hampton is third in the country – and tops in the ACC – with 658 rushing yards. Hampton has six touchdowns, with all coming in the past three weeks, plus four 100-yard rushing performances.

Tar Heel Nation gasped during the Charlotte game, learning that Hampton would not return after halftime, but that fear was short-lived. Hampton returned the following weekend against NC Central, recording his second career 200-yard game with 210 rushing yards, while adding three touchdowns.

UNC knew Hampton was a star during his freshman season, when he was part of a revolving door at running back, but the country didn’t know about Hampton largely until 2023. Hampton obliterated opposing defenses last year, running for 1,504 yards and 15 touchdowns.

I’m not saying that North Carolina is Running Back U, but with Hampton joining a recent list of stars in Michael Carter, Javonte Williams and Ty Chandler, Running Back U would be a well-deserved nickname.

How far up the Tar Heels’ all-time rushing yards list will Hampton be when his collegiate career ends?

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Omarion Hampton honored Thursday night with ceremony at his high school

Omarion Hampton is the centerpiece of UNC’s offense. He was also quite the high school player – and was honored on Thursday night.

Before Omarion Hampton started tearing up opposing defenses as the North Carolina Tar Heels’ star running back, he shined for four years at Cleveland High School.

Hampton compiled quite the high school career, rushing for 5,370 yards and 88 touchdowns at Cleveland. The Rams made the state playoffs in each of Hampton’s four seasons, but never won a state championship.

Now leading the UNC offense and heading into Saturday’s Victory Bell battle at Duke, Hampton has 2,460 career rushing yards and 27 rushing touchdowns.

On Thursday, Sept. 26, two nights before the Tar Heels and Blue Devils battle it out – and with Hurricane Helene looming large in the Carolinas – Hampton had his jersey retired at Cleveland High School.

Hampton chose North Carolina over 21 additional offers, including one from 2020 CFP National Champion LSU and another from 2024 Champion Michigan.

Despite Hampton’s high school prowess, he wasn’t always UNC’s starter. He backed up Elijah Green in 2022, then began last season as British Brooks’ backup.

When App State came to Kenan Stadium last year, everything changed. Hampton ran for 234 yards, scored three touchdowns and – most important – helped the Tar Heels to a 40-34 victory in double-overtime.

With no Drake Maye or Devontez Walker on the offense this year, UNC has shifted to a run-heavy offense. Hampton is rewarding North Carolina for that switch, as he currently sits third in the FBS with 555 rushing yards.

Just how much better can Hampton get before his name is called in the 2025 NFL Draft?

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Omarion Hampton can move up UNC’s all-time touchdowns and rushing yards list against Duke

Can Omarion Hampton climb further up the UNC all-time rushing yards and touchdowns list on Saturday at Duke?

When the North Carolina Tar Heels need an offensive spark, they can always count on star running back Omarion Hampton.

A junior who rose to prominence last season, Hampton is currently third amongst FBS backs with 555 rushing yards. Hampton ran for over 200 yards and scored three touchdowns against NC Central in Week 3, then added a 100-yard performance and three more scores last weekend against James Madison.

Though Hampton’s only in his second year as UNC’s starting running back, he’s already amongst the program’s all-time leaders.

Hampton currently has 2,460 career rushing yards, which ranks 13th in program history. Hampton also has 27 career touchdowns, which is 10th all-time.

Hampton has a great chance to climb further up both lists this coming weekend, as North Carolina heads to Durham for the Victory Bell battle against archrival Duke. The Blue Devils have a stingy defense, though, so don’t expect to see Hampton have an “off” game.

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Hampton is extremely lucky to be in the company of some other program greats, such as Charlie “Choo Choo” Justice, Giovani Bernard, Javonte Williams and Marquise Williams. You might recognize the latter three in partciular: Bernard for his game-winning punt return against NC State, Javonte Williams for his 1,000 yard season and Marquise Williams for being one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks to don a Tar Heels uniform.

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Tar Heels name Players of the Game for Week 3 blowout of NC Central

Check out who North Carolina dubbed its Players of the Game for its Week 3 win over NC Central.

The North Carolina Tar Heels remained 3-0 on their young football season after Saturday’s victory, scoring 28 fourth quarter points to pull away from NC Central in a 45-10 thumping.

UNC’s defense allowed the visiting Eagles to score a touchdown on their opening driving, as the Eagles marched 75 yards down the field in 12 plays. After that defensive lapse, North Carolina recovered and limited NCCU to 167 total yards.

The Tar Heels’ offense started slow, as predicted, then scored their first points on Omarion Hampton’s first second quarter rushing touchdown. UNC freshman wide receiver Christian Hamilton recovered a muffed punt, then Hampton found paydirt four plays later.

North Carolina starting defensive tackle Kevin Hester Jr. recorded four tackles, as he was part of a defense that generated 67 total tackles and six tackles for loss. Kaleb Cost was the Tar Heels’ greatest defensive factor, recording a team-high eight tackles and two deflected passes, a half-sack and an acrobatic, fourth-quarter interception.

With the major roles they all played on Saturday, it’s no surprise that Hampton, Hamilton, Hester and Cost were UNC’s Players of the Game.

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North Carolina has one more non-conference game this coming Saturday, hosting the James Madison Dukes at 12 p.m. ET, then heads to archrival Duke on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 4 p.m. to open ACC play.

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