NFL Analysis
10/29/24
6 min read
Omarion Hampton 2025 NFL Draft: Scouting Report For North Carolina Tar Heels RB
Height: 6000 (unofficial)
Weight: 220 (unofficial)
Year: Junior
Pro Comparison: Deuce McAllister
Scouting Overview
North Carolina Tar Heels RB Omarion Hampton is a dynamic but physical running back who should be afforded opportunities as a primary ball carrier in the NFL. Few running backs are doing more with less than Hampton, whose offensive line has not afforded him the space of many of his peers.
Hampton gets by with good vision, surprising versatility as a runner, and explosive finishes to earn hard yards. Oftentimes, he’s rewarded with missed tackles on these reps, which allows him to pop chunk gains into the secondary. Hampton has a viable every-down skill set, although many teams will likely have a better passing option on the roster as a part of their platoon. The ceiling is here for 250+ NFL touches per season, however.
2025 NFL Combine Results
TBD
Positives
- Imposing frame and explosiveness allow for a violent finish of runs for added yards after contact
- Strong feel for getting skinny through creases despite his stature to slip through run fits and find creases for sustaining forward momentum
- Light on his feet and steps around trash well when pressing the line of scrimmage to stay on schedule
Negatives
- While willing in pass protection, Hampton would benefit from more consistent strikes and better framing of rushing defenders
- Bit more of a slashing runner on vertical runs, lacking the hard and dynamic one cut to get north quickly and attack a developing crease.
- Creativity in the open field isn’t as robust or dynamic as others to force false steps
Background
Hampton hails from Clayton, NC, and played high school football for Cleveland HS. He was a three-sport athlete for Cleveland, participating in basketball and track and field in addition to football.
A 4-star recruit (247 Sports), Hampton rolled up the accolades at the prep level, twice named All-State while earning the title of Gatorade’s North Carolina Player of the Year, Charlotte Observer’s Mr. Football, and more.
Hampton collected offers from programs like Penn State, Florida, Auburn, Tennessee, Ohio State, Michigan, and more before ultimately committing to and enrolling at North Carolina to play in his home state. As a freshman, Hampton started four games while appearing in all 13, posting the first 100-yard rushing performance from a true freshman at UNC since 1946.
As a sophomore, Hampton assumed the full-time starting role while playing in all 13 games that season. He posted 1,504 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns on 253 carries, plus an additional 29 receptions for 222 yards and another score through the air. That was good for Second-Team All-American honors from a slew of outlets and recognition as a finalist for the 2023 Doak Walker Award.
Tale Of The Tape
Hampton offers a variety of problems for defenders as a ball carrier. First and foremost, he’s an absolute load with the ability to reduce his pads and play with diminished surface area in head-up tackle challenges.
The blend of burst and pliability at first contact makes him someone who absorbs contact quite well, and as a result, he’s a pile pusher and a churner through second-level contact. With surprising mobility throughout his lower half, Hampton plays with strong contact balance and pairs that with light feet that step over and around trash at his feet as he presses the line of scrimmage.
This is a big back with a slippery feel — not just thanks to his feet and power but thanks to strong vision and processing out of the mesh point. He’s quick to ID and attack holes that are present immediately but is also accustomed to having to press the line of scrimmage and make a snap decision through a small crease.
These qualities, which are amplified by a modest front blocking for him at UNC, make him a reliable singles and doubles hitter. Don’t expect a lot of turndowns on quality looks in the box for a modest gain.
Hampton trusts his pads to finish runs and turn those modest gains into respectable ones. Rightfully so, too. He has great urgency through contact. However, these skills are essential to his game because he is somewhat lacking in a number of other areas that would help create consistently dynamic runs.
I don’t see a great deal of wiggle or creativity in the hole; he runs with the equivalent of a full-court press on the hardwood. He’s on top of you fast and dictates his runs instead of trying to manipulate defenders or create added creases and false steps for extra yards. This is for better and for worse.
As an outside runner, Hampton has the linear burst to press the edge, but his ability to make the hard cut and get north quickly is somewhat tempered by his cadence and mass — it can be difficult for him to take his outside zone track and stick a foot in the ground. Either a more reserved pace could help, or he’ll need consistently softer edges to claim these reps without having to steadily lean and slash into his turn of the corner.
Hampton hits big runs, but his open-field long speed should be classified as "solid." He does not appear to have breakneck long speed to blow defenders in the secondary out of the water, and he’s lost some angles in the open field on perimeter runs that carry him up the sideline. Without this element, his bursty and aggressive running style are important variables to him hitting chunk runs in the NFL.
Hampton has the skill set to be a three-down player in the NFL, but his passing game resume offers room for growth. His implementation at North Carolina lacked creativity in the passing game. He wasn’t charged with running a lot of options down the field, and most of his work came on basic checkdown work underneath. He does appear to be a comfortable hands catcher, but his role early in his NFL career will likely need a complementary player if he’s going to be a high-volume runner from the jump.
In pass protection, Hampton has the physicality and active eyes to find and deliver blows. His consistency wavers, however. There are times when he will drift towards his initial read and take himself out of position for the threat that is declared.
Other times, you wish he’d keep his head up and deliver a blow as compared to catching contact with dead feet and getting collapsed or completely shed off a fit.
Ideal Scheme Fit, Role
Hampton has run scheme versatility, but I would love to see him given the opportunity to play in a duo inside zone-heavy run scheme.
Hampton is at his best when carrying momentum through the LOS with square pads and without the need to make dynamic lateral cuts. The downhill schemes would afford him that the most, and he can be considered a potential quality starter.
Grade: 77.00/100.00, Second Round Value
Big Board Rank: TBD
Position Rank: TBD
