Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
Size:
Height: 5116
Weight: 221
Arm: 30 ½”
Hand: 9 ⅜”
Accomplishments:
First-Team All-ACC (2024, 2023) • Second-Team AP All-America (2023) • Doak Walker Award Finalist (2023)
“Omarion Hampton showcases an excellent blend of speed and power that forces teams to add bodies into the box.”
Strengths:
VIOLENT runner
Explodes to and through the alley
Sure hands
Contact balance
Minimal wasted movement
Concerns:
Tempoing speeds
Wiggle in space
Film Analysis:
Omarion Hampton entered the year with attention centered on his potential to elevate himself into the day-one conversation. Following his junior campaign in 2024, he did exactly that, holstering the offensive workload for the Tar Heels on the ground, and at times, putting the entire offense on his back to keep North Carolina competitive. For added context, Hampton recorded three games with three or more rushing touchdowns, including a five-touchdown performance (rushing and receiving) against Florida State in Week 10.
Hampton showcases an excellent blend of speed and power that forces teams to add bodies into the box. Aligned primarily in the hip pocket of the QB in shotgun, Hampton explodes through the mesh point. Primary zone runner. Quick to identify his rush lane and will arrive at the line of scrimmage at full speed. One of the most explosive runners in the country who can tempo his footwork tand hen accelerate to full speed rapidly. Hampton showcases excellent ball security within traffic and is always falling forward. Minimal wasted movement as a runner. Quick to get north-south and operates with a low pad level. Willingness to initiate contact will wear on a front seven. Stays disciplined in following his blockers but an increased willingness to attack backside cut lanes or create chunk plays as a pure athlete would elevate his projection further. Has quick turnover to accelerate and outrun pursuit angles. Not a make-them-miss runner in space but is a nightmare to bring down due to his low center of gravity and physicality at full speed.
In space, Hampton flashes comfortable hands (caught 38 of 43 targets) and is quick to turn upfield. Depth of targets remains limited, but he has shown the ability to separate on longer, developing routes. Advanced in pass protection and has the strength to knock free runners backward.
Concerns remain about Hampton’s ability to tempo speeds. Will, at times, trip over his own feet, a sign of trying to do just a little too much in space. Improving as a multi-gear runner will allow Hampton to remain patient in further allowing holes to develop while also continuing to attack alleys that prove vacant immediately following the mesh point.
Overall, Hampton is an impressive ball-carrier whose skill set showcases one of the premier ball-carriers in the class. His explosiveness, vision, footwork, and contact balance present an offensive talent who has the potential to lead an NFL running backs room.
Prospect Projection: Day 1 — Pro Bowl Caliber
Written by: Ryan Fowler
Exposures: Wake Forest (2024), Florida State (2024), NC State (2024), Virginia (2024), Miami (2023), Clemson (2023), Duke (2023), Virginia (2023)
