Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina Tarheels: 2025 NFL Scouting Report

Name: Omarion Hampton

Position: Running Back

College: North Carolina

Height/Weight: 6-0, 220 lbs

High School: Cleveland High School

40-yard Dash: 4.46 seconds (unofficial)

2024 Stats (Regular Season): 281 caries, 1,660 yards, 15 touchdowns, 38 receptions, 373 yards, 2 touchdowns.

Career Stats: 622 carries, 3,565 yards, 36 touchdowns, 73 receptions, 634 yards, 4 touchdowns.

PFF Metrics: Overall grade: 88.2, Rushing grade: 90.5. Gap grade: 78.7. Zone Grade: 88.8. Elusive rating: 126.8. Yards after contact: 1,222 yards.  Forced missed tackles: 72.

Omarion Hampton football background

A big, bruising workhorse type running back, Omarion Hampton stormed into the University of North Carolina as a four-star recruit after a senior year at Cleveland High School in which he rushed for 1,949 yards with 39 touchdowns.  In rushing for an average of 162.4 yards per game, the North Carolina native was named the state’s Football Player of the Year in 2021.  His four-year production at Cleveland High School garnered offers from top programs such as Ohio State and Michigan, but ultimately Hampton decided to stick in his home state and play for the Tarheels.

It only took one game of Hampton to prove he was the deal real, rushing for 100 yards in his debut with the Tarheels as a freshman.  The big running back finished his freshman year with just 401 yards rushing and 6 touchdowns, but showed flashes of what was to come.  Breaking out in his sophomore season, Hampton demonstrated his status as one of the top running back prospects in the nation with 1,504 yards rushing on 253 carries with 15 rushing touchdowns.  The overall performance earned him multiple All-American honors and set the stage for an outstanding 2024 season with the Tarheels.

In rushing for 1,660 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2024 with the Tarheels, Hampton punished opposing defenses with his bruising style of running and showed he can serve as a dual-threat option out of the backfield with 38 receptions for 373 yards.  In all, one of the more intriguing running backs entering the 2025 NFL Draft and a player many NFL teams will be scouting to join their running back room.

Strengths:

• Has the size and physical attributes of an NFL workhorse type running back.

• Above average lower body power that helps him drive through defenders.

• Has the size and speed to be an impact runner in gap schemes as he is a tough load to take down once he hits the open field.

• Has solid hands for a power back which makes him a dump down target for his quarterback.

• Excels at pass protection and picking up the blitz.

• A short-yardage force due to punishing style of running and ability to fight for extra yards after contact.

• Has great burst once he finds a hole and turns on the accelerators for big gains.

Weaknesses:

• Not patient enough in finding holes behind the offensive line.

• Does not have the ability to create in space at times relying mainly on his power to gain yards.

• As a pass catcher, needs to improve on his route running.  Good at check-downs but will need to be more versatile at the NFL level as far as being a threat in the passing game.

• Although his acceleration is a strength, he does not process breakaway speed during long yardage runs.

NFL Comparison:

Hampton has the size and ability to be RB1 in the NFL if he does improve as a pass catcher.  With his power and workhorse nature, he compares to current NFL running backs such as David Montgomery and Jonathan Taylor.

2025 NFL Draft projection

Hampton is ranked as a top 5 running back prospect entering the 2025 NFL Draft.  With Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty leading the way, Hampton projects as a Day 2 pick who could slide to an early third round selections.  Whichever team selects him will add a running back who should make an impact Year 1 in the NFL.