Nov 11, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Omarion Hampton (28) runs in the first quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Omarion Hampton RB North Carolina | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Omarion Hampton RB North Carolina
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Work-Horse Back | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 01/13/2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.46 seconds (81%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 21.10 DOB: 03/16/2003 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Work-Horse Back | |
| Last Updated: 01/13/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.46 seconds (81%*) | |
| Age: 21.10 DOB: 03/16/2003 | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: | 88.3 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
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72% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Rushing: |
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93% |
| Break Tackles: |
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95% |
| Receiving/Hands: |
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70% |
| Pass Blocking: |
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52% |
| Run Blocking: |
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57% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
1st - Mid
Overall Rank:
#18
Position rank:
#2
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| College Games: 37 College Snaps: 1556 | ||
ESPN RATING: 82/100
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247 RATING: 93/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.9 (97%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Tank Bigsby - Auburn |
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71% |
| Zach Charbonnet - UCLA |
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69% |
| Isaac Guerendo - Louisville |
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66% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Born in Clayton, North Carolina, Hampton's path to becoming one of college football's premier backs began at Cleveland High School where he racked up a staggering 5,370 yards and 88 touchdowns. His senior campaign saw him average an eye-popping 12.1 yards per carry while piling up 1,948 yards and 39 scores, earning him North Carolina's Gatorade Player of the Year honors. The four-star recruit chose to stay home, signing with the Tar Heels over offers from football powerhouses like Ohio State, Michigan, and Penn State.Hampton announced his arrival in Chapel Hill by becoming the first UNC freshman since Charlie "Choo Choo" Justice in 1946 to rush for 100 yards in his debut. His sophomore season marked his true emergence as he rumbled for 1,504 yards and 15 touchdowns, earning Walter Camp First-Team All-American honors and finishing as a Doak Walker Award finalist. His junior year cemented his status as one of the nation's elite backs, consistently breaking the century mark and finishing sixth nationally in rushing yards per game.
The 6'0", 220-pound bruiser saved his best for last, recording six straight 100-yard games in 2024 - a feat not accomplished by a Tar Heel since Don McCauley's eight-game streak in 1970. Hampton exits UNC ranking ninth in career rushing yards (2,911) and sixth in rushing touchdowns (30), having posted 16 games over 100 yards rushing in just three seasons.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Violent finisher who consistently falls forward through contact, showing exceptional leg drive and core strength to push piles an extra 2-3 yards after initial impact
- Natural feel for pressing the line and getting skinny through tight creases despite his imposing frame, showing surprising lateral agility for a back his size
- Runs with outstanding pad level and leverage, generating power from his lower half while maintaining excellent balance through traffic
- Elite burst when hitting the hole, accelerating from zero to full speed in two steps with explosive hip drive and powerful leg churn
- Reliable hands out of the backfield with soft mitts to secure throws away from his frame, showing solid concentration in traffic
- Excels in gap/power schemes where he can build momentum downhill, consistently making correct reads behind pulling linemen
- Physical pass protector who shows willingness to stick his nose in against blitzing linebackers, anchoring well against bigger defenders
- Outstanding contact balance allows him to bounce off glancing blows while maintaining forward momentum, rarely going down on first contact
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Can get too upright approaching the line of scrimmage, presenting a larger target for defenders and negating some of his natural power advantage
- While willing in pass protection, needs to improve hand placement and punch timing to maximize his natural strength against NFL rushers
- Lacks elite creativity in space, relying more on power than wiggle to create missed tackles when isolated against defenders
- Route tree remains basic, primarily running check-downs and swing passes without much nuance or setup in his patterns
- Long speed is good but not elite, occasionally getting caught from behind on breakaway runs when he can't find that extra gear
Scouting Report: Summary
Hampton profiles as an immediate impact player who could step into a featured role in a downhill rushing attack. His combination of size, power, and burst makes him particularly well-suited for gap/power schemes where he can build momentum attacking defined holes. While he may start his career primarily as an early-down hammer, his steady improvement in the passing game suggests untapped potential as a complete three-down back.His ideal landing spot would be with a team committed to a physical ground game that can maximize his strengths between the tackles while developing his receiving skills. Hampton's violent running style and consistent production against high-level competition indicate a high floor as an NFL contributor. Given his age (22), physical maturity, and three years of proven production in the ACC, he should be ready to handle serious carries as a rookie.
Look for Hampton to make an immediate impact as a short-yardage and red zone specialist while developing into a complete feature back by year two. His combination of power, vision, and improving receiving skills gives him Pro Bowl potential in the right system. Teams running gap-heavy schemes should have him high on their draft boards as a potential day-one starter with three-down upside.
Written By:
Felix Green (ACC)
How other scouting services rate Omarion Hampton (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
40.4
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
2.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.