2025 Rookie Profile: Omarion Hampton (RB) North Carolina
Welcome to the 2025 fantasy football season. FullTime Fantasy‘s annual rookie profiles preview one of the top running backs in this class with our 2025 Rookie Profile: Omarion Hampton.
College Resume and Stats
Omarion Hampton emerged as one of college football’s premier running backs during his three-year tenure at the University of North Carolina. Hailing from Clayton, North Carolina, Hampton first showcased his talent at Cleveland High School. There he amassed 5,370 rushing yards and 88 touchdowns across four seasons. His senior year was particularly dominant, with 1,949 yards and 39 touchdowns at 12.1 yards per carry. That earned him North Carolina’s Gatorade Player of the Year honors.
A four-star recruit, he opted to stay in-state with the Tar Heels, spurning offers from marquee programs like Ohio State, Michigan, and Penn State.
At UNC, Hampton made an immediate impact as a true freshman in 2022, becoming the first Tar Heel since Charlie Justice in 1946 to rush for over 100 yards in his collegiate debut (101 yards, 2 TDs vs. Florida A&M). He finished that season with 401 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 88 carries across 13 games (4 starts), adding 6 receptions for 40 yards and a score.
Omarion Hampton:
#2 best RB *in the last DECADE* in YPC on runs when hit behind the line
#2 in highest percentage of team’s entire touches (44%)
#2 in highest % of team’s entire receptions (17%)
96th percentile in explosion score in jumping drills
profile of a true workhorse… pic.twitter.com/JgfZvmtGBZ
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) March 13, 2025
Breakout
His sophomore year in 2023 marked his breakout, as he assumed the full-time starting role, rushing for 1,504 yards and 15 touchdowns on 253 carries (5.9 yards per carry) while catching 29 passes for 222 yards and another touchdown. This earned him First-Team All-ACC honors, a Walter Camp First-Team All-American nod, and a spot as a Doak Walker Award finalist.
In his junior year of 2024, Hampton solidified his elite status. He piled up 1,660 rushing yards (second nationally) and 15 touchdowns on 281 carries (5.9 yards per carry). Hampton also nabbed 34 receptions for 373 yards and two touchdowns. He recorded six consecutive 100-yard games. That was a feat not accomplished by a Tar Heel since 1970.
Hampton concluded his college career with 3,565 rushing yards (third in UNC history) and 36 rushing touchdowns (fourth in UNC history) over 38 games. His 16 career 100-yard rushing performances underscore his consistency and durability.
Career College Stats
•Rushing: 622 attempts, 3,565 yards (5.7 YPC), 36 TDs
•Receiving: 69 receptions, 635 yards (9.2 YPR), 4 TDs
•Total Yards: 4,200 all-purpose yards
•Notable Accolades: First-Team All-ACC (2023), Walter Camp First-Team All-American (2023), Doak Walker Award Finalist (2023)
Measurables
At the 2025 NFL Combine, Hampton showcased a blend of size, speed, and explosiveness that aligns with his on-field production:
•Height: 6-0
•Weight: 220 pounds
• 40-yard Dash: 4.46 seconds
•10-yard Split: 1.54 seconds
•Vertical Jump: 38.0 inches
•Broad Jump: 10-10 (130 inches)
•Bench Press: 18 reps
•Arm Length: 30.5 inches
•Hand Size: 9.375 inches
Hampton’s sturdy, well-proportioned frame and above-average athletic testing numbers highlight his ability to combine power with burst.. His explosive lower-body strength and contact balance shine through in his leaping metrics and on-tape performance.
Hampton profiles as a workhorse running back who thrives in downhill, gap/power schemes where he can attack the line of scrimmage with momentum and squared shoulders. His combination of size, physicality, and surprising burst makes him an ideal fit for teams needing a robust ground game presence. Particularly those picking in the mid-to-late first round (15-32).
Hampton’s high floor as a volume runner and untapped receiving potential make him a strong fit for teams in this draft range. His projection (late Round 1 to early Round 2) aligns with his skill set and the depth of the 2025 RB class.
However, with a historically deep class, it’s possible teams bypass early runners. That would make Hampton a potential steal on Day Two.
NFL Fits
Dallas Cowboys (1.12) – This is probably the earliest Hampton would go. Also, it’s assuming that Ashton Jeanty is already off the board. Hampton would contend for instant RB1 value in Big D.
Both Daniel Jeremiah and Mel Kiper mentioned/mocked Omarion Hampton to the #Cowboys at No. 12 today.
Something to consider.
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) March 18, 2025
Denver Broncos (1.20) – Sean Payton is looking for a starter. With Javonte Williams gone, Hampton’s durability and explosiveness could anchor Denver’s run game behind QB Bo Nix. At pick 20, he’s a value fit. Or they could trade up for him early in Round 2 if they address defense first.
Pittsburgh Steelers (1.21) – The Steelers’ identity is built on physical football. And with Najee Harris now in LA, Hampton could step in as a long-term RB1. His power-running style aligns with Arthur Smith’s gap-scheme preferences. And his ability to handle a heavy workload complements Pittsburgh’s grind-it-out approach.
Los Angeles Chargers (1.22) – Under Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman, the Chargers are shifting toward a smashmouth identity. With Najee Harris signed for just one year, Hampton’s 220-pound frame and tackle-breaking ability make him a natural fit for their power-run system.
Chicago Bears (Round 2) – Chicago picks 10th and could target Ashton Jeanty. After all, Ben Johnson loves utilizing multiple backs. However, if Chicago continues to build their offensive line, Hampton could be a trade-up target. His size and receiving chops pair well with Caleb Williams in Shane Waldron’s offense, offering a power complement to D’Andre Swift.
NFL Comparison
Hampton’s playing style draws parallels to Josh Jacobs, the former Alabama star and current NFL standout. Like Jacobs, Hampton boasts a thick, powerful build (both around 6-0, 220 pounds) and excels as a violent, downhill runner who churns through contact with exceptional leg drive and balance.
Both players exhibit patience behind the line, waiting for blocks to develop. Both also possess enough burst to turn short gains into chunk plays. While Hampton’s 4.46 forty is slightly faster than Jacobs’ 4.53 (pre-draft estimate), neither is a burner. They rely on power and vision over breakaway speed.
Where Hampton differs is in his current pass-game polish. Jacobs was more refined as a receiver coming out of college. But Hampton’s reliable hands and growing comfort in space suggest he can close that gap with development. If he lands with a team that maximizes his physicality while expanding his role in the passing game, Hampton could mirror Jacobs’ trajectory as a dependable, Pro Bowl-caliber workhorse.
Other Comps: Jonathan Taylor, Matt Forte.
Other Rookie Profiles
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