In what was expected is now official: the historic UNC football career of Omarion Hampton has come to a close.
Thank you Chapel Hill 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/2X1khP9EPI
— Omarion Hampton (@OmarionHampton) December 16, 2024
The junior running back announced that he will be entering the 2025 NFL Draft. With the draft at the forefront of his focus, Hampton has elected to not play in the Tar Heels Bowl game, the Fenway Bowl on December 28.
Hampton leaves Chapel Hill as one of the best running backs to ever wear the Carolina Blue. Considering the running backs who have called North Carolina their home, being regarded as arguably the best the program's ever seen is a testament to just how good Omarion Hampton is.
During his true freshman season, Hampton was used sparingly, as ball protection was a bit of an issue for him. Regardless, Hampton still found the endzone on six occasions, giving Tar Heels fans hope that he could be the running back of the future.
Fast forward to his sophomore season, a year in which Hampton burst onto the scene as one of college football's best. He rushed for 1,504 yards and added 222 receiving yards to his tally, scoring 16 touchdowns in the process. He finished the year as a finalist for the Doak Walker Award, one that is presented annually to the country's best running back.
Given how good his sophomore season was, it's hard for some players to follow it up with an even better season a year later. For Hampton, he simply made it look easy.
As a junior, Hampton was a legitimate workhorse for the UNC football program's offense, finishing the season with 1,660 rushing yards and 373 receiving yards. His 1,660 rushing yards ranks as the second-most in a single-season by a Tar Heel, as he only trails Don McCauley by 60 yards on the list (a record he would most likely have crushed if he suited up for the team's bowl game).
Overall, Hampton wraps up his UNC football career as the fourth all-time leading rusher in program history. An incredible leader both on and off the field, Hampton was instrumental in the team's success, as it's rather disappointing that the UNC football program as a whole couldn't capitalize during his three seasons on campus.
Now, Hampton is heading to the pros, as an NFL team is going to make a wise investment to take him as their running back of the future. Based on what we know, Hampton has a lot more rushing yards and touchdowns left in the tank.