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Omarion Hampton

Omarion Hampton Player Profile

Summary

  • Drafted: Round 1, 22nd overall (2025) by the Los Angeles Chargers. University of North Carolina Athletics

  • College: University of North Carolina (UNC). NFL Draft Buzz

  • Key Statistics / Production: Over his three-year UNC career, Hampton rushed for 3,565 yards and 36 touchdowns. Mile High Report In his 2024 season, he carried the ball 281 times for 1,660 yards and 15 TDs, plus 38 catches for 373 receiving yards and 2 scores. NFL Mocks

  • Accolades / Character: Two-time First Team All-ACC (2023, 2024) and consecutive Doak Walker Award finalist. University of North Carolina Athletics Known for his physical running style, high contact balance, and mental toughness — he declared early after putting up back-to-back 1,500+ yard seasons. ESPN.com

Strengths

  • Power Runner & Contact Balance — Hampton can absorb hits and consistently generate yards after initial contact. NFL Draft Buzz

  • Good Vision & Patience — He shows the ability to read his blocks and wait for creases in zone schemes. CBS Sports

  • Very Reliable Hands — Effective as a receiver out of the backfield; catches reliably. CBS Sports

  • Durable Workhorse Potential — Massive touch volume at UNC; handled a heavy workload. Los Angeles Chargers

  • Missed-Tackle Creator — Forced a large number of missed tackles in college, showing both power and balance. SI

  • Good Straight-Line Burst — Not just a grinder: he has pop through the hole and the speed to hit big runs. Mile High Report

Weaknesses

  • Lack of Elite Lateral Elusiveness — More of a downhill, north-south runner than a shifty, wiggle back.

  • Injury Risk — Previous foot injury (Lisfranc concerns have been raised) may factor into long-term durability. Los Angeles Chargers

  • Limited Breakaway Speed — While he has good burst, his top-end separation and deep breakaway plays are not dominant.

  • Pass Protection / Blocking Needs — May not yet excel in blitz‑pick-up or power blocking; not known as a mauling pass blocker. NFL Draft Buzz

  • Signature Game-Breaker Trait Lacking — Some analysts note he doesn’t have a “wow” trait that defines him — his strength is in being reliable rather than “explosive every play.” CBS Sports

Fit & Outlook

Omarion Hampton projects as a three-down, every-down running back in the NFL — especially on a team that values a powerful, dependable runner who can handle significant volume. He’s well-suited for power‑zone or inside-gap schemes where his patience, vision, and contact balance can be maximized. Given his strong receiving ability and ability to pass-protect, he has real three-down upside. Long-term, he could become a feature back who handles 15–20 touches per game, especially if he stays healthy. His high floor and solid projection make him a valuable building block at the position.