Every time you turn on a UNC football game, chances are you see Omarion Hampton with the opposing defense behind him.
Hampton, the Tar Heels’ star junior running back, continues to prove himself as a household name in college football. Just last Saturday in North Carolina’s bowl-clinching win over Wake Forest, Hampton scored his 14th touchdown of 2024, plus set career highs of 35 carries and 244 yards.
Hampton now owns the UNC record with eight-consecutive 100-yard games, plus he is now tied with Marquise Williams for third-all time in UNC rushing touchdowns. Hampton now has 3,327 rushing yards for his Tar Heel career, putting him Top-5 in program history.
It should come as no surprise, then, that Hampton was selected as one of 10 semifinalists for the Doak Walker Award. This prestigious award is given annually to college football’s top running back.
Hampton is joined on the list by Heisman Trophy frontrunner Ashton Jeanty, SMU’s Brashard Smith, Arizona State’s Cam Skattebo, Tennessee’s Dylan Sampson, Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson, Tulane’s Makhi Hughes, UCF’s RJ Harvey, Kansas State’s DJ Giddens and Texas Tech’s Tahj Brooks.
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With North Carolina shifting to a run-first offense this season, Hampton is thriving as his team’s primary offensive creator. Hampton leads the ACC in rushing yardage and has 100 yards in almost ever UNC game, with the lone exception being a 38-20 victory over Charlotte, when he missed the second half due to a minor injury.
I’d be shocked if Hampton doesn’t depart for the NFL after the type of season he’s enjoying. Sure, Hampton has another year of eligibility, but his draft stock is so high and he’s already proven himself as a Tar Heel.
North Carolina still has three more games to play in its current season, so there’s plenty more time to watch Hampton continue destroying defenses.
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