UNC Football: 2024 Positional Preview: Running backs

Over the last couple of seasons, UNC football fans had the luxury of watching the likes of Javonte Williams, Michael Carter, and Ty Chandler. Omarion Hampton has continued the trend, as the rising junior is set to have another big season for the UNC football program.

However, there is still plenty to figure out in this group's depth chart, as the program features some talented running backs who will compete for some meaningful snaps this season.

One thing is for certain: the running game will be a huge factor for the UNC football program heading into the 2024 season.

What We Know

Omarion Hampton is going to be the workhorse in the Tar Heels backfield.

How the depth chart shakes out behind him is still very much in the air.

The UNC football program will need at least one of these student-athletes to step up and contribute, as the goal will be to keep Hampton as fresh as possible. If Mack Brown and company can find a compliment running back (or backs) to help carry the load, the offense will be in a much better position.

The Key Players

Omarion Hampton

After a standout 2023 season, Hampton will continue to be the Tar Heels' No. 1 option in the backfield. After winning multiple awards in the 2023 season, including being a first-team All-ACC selection while also being a finalist for the Doak Walker Award, how can you not be excited for Hampton this year?

Hampton led the Atlantic Coast Conference in multiple categories, including rushing yards at 1,504, touchdowns with 15, and rushing attempts with 253. He also had the second-most rushing yards in a single-season in Tar Heel history.

As long as he's healthy, Hampton will continue to be the lead back and is expected to play an enormous role in the Tar Heels' offense. His junior campaign, which could be his last at North Carolina, will be very exciting to watch.

2023 Total Stats: 253 Carries, 1,504 Rushing Yards, 15 Rushing Touchdowns, 5.9 Average Rushing Yards, 29 Catches, 222 Receiving Yards, 1 Receiving Touchdown, 7.7 Average Receiving Yards

Darwin Barlow

Barlow is a newcomer to the group.

He comes to the UNC football program after spending time at both TCU and USC during his collegiate career.

A veteran running back, Barlow is a guy who could earn some carries in the backfield this season, as Mack Brown and his staff put an emphasis on bringing in some more depth to this positional group.

2023 Total Stats: 8 Carries, 81 Rushing Yards, 1 Rushing Touchdown, 10.1 Average Rushing Yards, 1 Catch and 10 Receiving Yards

Caleb Hood, Davion Gause and Jordan Louie

Caleb Hood has been part of North Carolina football for the past three years. The senior has 390 rushing yards on 80 carries. Hood's best came in 2022 when he had 43 carries and 250 rushing yards. Injuries have slowed Hood down a bit, but he can reemerge on the depth chart if he can simply stay on the field.

The Tar Heels have been adding to the running back room through the class of 2024, as they've added three-star Davion Gause to the mix. Don't forget about Jordan Louie, a member of the Class of 2023 and a former four-star recruit, as the opportunity is there for one (or both) players to be among the Tar Heels' breakout candidates.

Outlook:

We all want to see what Hampton can do in his second season as the team's starter, as he has aspirations of running for 2,000 yards this season. While that storyline is intriguing to say the least, it will be interesting to keep tabs on how the depth chart shakes out, as the Tar Heels desperately need production from others among this group.

Depth Chart

Starter: Omarion Hampton
Back up: Darwin Barlow
Reserves: Davion Gause, Jordan Louie, Caleb Hood