It took a little longer than expected, but Omarion Hampton's name was finally called during the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft!
With the 22nd pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Chargers select... Omarion Hampton... running back, University of North Carolina!
Pick 2️⃣2️⃣!@OmarionHampton to the @chargers ! pic.twitter.com/w1W8gwgRct
— Carolina Football (@UNCFootball) April 25, 2025
Hampton became the second running back off the board, as 16 picks separated his selection from Ashton Jeanty's (No. 6 overall by the Las Vegas Raiders). He becomes the 26th player in UNC football history to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, as his selection marks the second year in a row that a Tar Heel has heard his name called in the first round. It's the first time that North Carolina has had first-round picks in consecutive seasons, which hasn't happened since a three-year stretch from 2011-2014.
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 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 because ball handling 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 rank 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).
Now, Hampton will begin his NFL in a competitive AFC West Division, but has the luxury of sharing the backfield with Justin Herbert, one of the sports young rising quarterbacks. It also helps to have Jim Harbaugh as his coach, a proven winner who will find ways to make sure Hampton has success right away.
While he would've liked to have heard his name called a bit earlier, being selected by the Chargers seems like a great fit for the now former Tar Heel. Right away, he'll be called upon to be a major contributor for a team that has deep postseason aspirations in 2025 and beyond.