The North Carolina Tar Heels are struggling, but running back Omarion Hampton sure is not. The ACC’s leading rusher entered Week 9 with at least 100 yards in six of his seven games this season with seven rushing touchdowns.
Here is a look at Hampton’s performance this season, his projected landing spot in our latest mock draft, and more.
Where Did Omarion Hampton Land in Our Most Recent NFL Mock Draft?
In the latest seven-round 2025 NFL Mock Draft, Pro Football Network NFL Draft Analyst Ian Cummings projects Hampton to be selected by the New York Giants in the second round with the No. 34 pick.
Here is what Cummings had to say about Hampton landing with the Giants:
“Quietly, Omarion Hampton has been exceptional in 2024. He fits the volume back mold for the Giants, with the explosiveness, vision, and physicality to take the lion’s share of carries.”
Hampton’s Best Landing Spots in the NFL
It remains to be seen where in the NFL Draft Hampton will go, but there are plenty of teams who could seek out his talents.
New York Giants
The Giants are in Year 1 without Saquon Barkley and are trying to hold steady that position. Devin Singletary is doing a decent job, but you have to believe the Giants will be looking for someone who can do better than 55 rushing yards a game and 3.9 yards per carry in their backfield.
Las Vegas Raiders
Zamir White is the leading rusher for the Las Vegas Raiders, averaging less than 40 rushing yards a game (38.0). Only the Dallas Cowboys and New York Jets rank lower in rushing offense than the Raiders.
Denver Broncos
Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin are young — both 24 — but combined, these two running backs are averaging less than 60 rushing yards a game (59.6), less than four yards a carry (3.6), and have one touchdown run. The Denver Broncos can certainly do better at this position.
Hampton’s Scouting Report
In his scouting report on Hampton, Cummings mentions the following:
“At around 6’0″, 220 pounds, Hampton easily fits the volume mold, and he brings the kind of physicality and contact balance you’d expect. On top of his pure combative energy, he’s a supremely explosive runner with the speed to stretch seams and generate chunk plays.
“Though he’s more of a press-and-go runner than a pure creator, Hampton has good creative instincts — evident in his ability to press into gaps and displace linebackers — but his main appeal comes as a finisher in space, where he can use his burst and agility in tandem with his physicality to muscle through defenders.
“At his size, Hampton has excellent foot speed and accelerative capacity, and those traits are the bedrock of his profile as a runner. Meanwhile, as a receiver, he’s very competent with active body control, hand-eye coordination, a solid route tree, and a strong RAC framework.”
Hampton’s 2024 Season Stats and Game Breakdown
While the season has not gone according to plan for the Tar Heels, Hampton has more than done his part in the backfield.
Here is how Hampton has performed through the first seven games of the 2024 season:
Rush Attempts: 155
Rush Yards: 901
Yards per Rush: 5.8
Rushing Touchdowns: 7
Receptions: 20
Receiving Yards: 135
3⃣0⃣th score on the career for Big O. #UNCommon
📺https://t.co/3akYK2zeUe https://t.co/Kpf40Tfmw9 pic.twitter.com/9fQQUcyMg1
— Carolina Football (@UNCFootball) October 5, 2024
Hampton has rushed for 100 or more yards in five of his first six games this season, including a 210-yard effort against North Carolina Central. Hampton entered Week 7 leading the ACC in rush attempts (137) and rushing yards (764) and tied for second in touchdown runs (seven).
When Is Hampton Playing?
Hampton and the North Carolina Tar Heels will take on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on Saturday, Oct. 12, at noon ET. You can watch this game on the CW Network.
Hampton and Co. will try to improve to 4-3 on the season.