Devy Diamonds: Omarion Hampton, Running Back, North Carolina
Welcome to Devy Diamonds: Omarion Hampton was a four-star prospect out of Cleveland High School in Clayton, North Carolina. He had 19 offers before having his third unofficial visit to North Carolina. It had seemed North Carolina was a heavy favorite. Florida, Auburn, and Penn State all visited Hampton before his first official visit to North Carolina. A week after he visited Penn State he had his fifth visit to North Carolina. This would be his first official visit to North Carolina. In July of 2021, Hampton committed to North Carolina.
During his freshman season, he saw limited work but made the most of his 88 carries. Hampton averaged 4.6 yards per carry his freshman season. Plus, he had six rushing touchdowns. Additionally, Hampton caught all six of his targets for 40 yards and one additional touchdown. This season he displayed his contact balance by achieving 211 yards after contact. On the other hand, he did struggle with ball security, Hampton had three fumbles this season.
His sophomore year became his breakout season. North Carolina trusted Hampton as their workhorse running back. Hampton carried the ball 253 times while averaging 5.9 yards per carry. That means he totaled 1,504 on the ground. Additionally, he ran the ball into the end zone 15 times this season. Plus, he caught 29 of 32 targets for 222 yards and one extra touchdown. Moreover, he showed his skills in breaking tackles more this season with 67 missed tackles forced. Once again his contact balance was on display. During this sophomore season, he had 1,072 yards yard contact. That is just over 71 percent of his yards coming after contact. However, once again ball security would be an issue. Unfortunately, he fumbled the ball two times this season. Two fumbles does not seem like a bunch when it is out of 253 carries. On the other hand, we have seen players get benched in the NFL for having one fumble. He needs to secure the ball.
This season, Hampton is currently on pace to run for 1,664 yards. He currently has 74.5 percent of his 416 yards coming from after contact. Plus, he already has 20 missed tackles force through only three games. The downside, Hampton has not been as involved in the passing game with only eight targets. He will likely see more work in the passing game which may take away from some of his rushing opportunities. Regardless, his involvement in the offense is key to North Carolina’s success. Check back at the end of the season to see how the North Carolina Devy Diamond finished his junior year.
Strengths:
Powerful Runner. Hampton is known for his physical running style. He has shown the ability to break tackles by pushing through defenders. His lower body strength allows him to drive through contact and gain extra yards after initial hits.
Vision. He possesses excellent vision. Hampton quickly identifies running lanes and makes quick decisions. He finds cutback opportunities and exploits defensive gaps consistently.
Balance. His balance enables him to stay on his feet through contact and navigate through crowded areas of the field. Hampton’s ability to maintain his footing after being hit allows him to keep plays alive and pick up additional yards.
Workhorse. He has shown that he can handle a heavy workload. His stamina and toughness make him an ideal candidate to be a featured back, capable of carrying an offense throughout the game.
Receiving Skills. While he is a runner first, Hampton has demonstrated reliable hands out of the backfield. He is capable of being a reliable check-down option for quarterbacks.
Explosiveness. Hampton has a strong burst, allowing him to accelerate quickly through the line of scrimmage. His explosiveness helps him hit holes with authority turning small openings into significant yardage.
Areas of Improvement
Top End Speed. Although he has good burst, Hampton lacks elite top-end speed. This can limit his ability to break away, as faster defenders can catch him from behind in open-field situations.
Pass Protection. Hampton’s pass-blocking skills are still developing. He can struggle to recognize blitzes and effectively pick up pass rushers.
Ball Security. As mentioned above, each year he has struggled with his ball security. At the next level it is important to maintain strong control of the ball once in the runners hands. Improving his ball security will heavily increase his draft stock. However, if he has another year of fumbles then his draft stock could drop.
Agility. He is not as quick or fluid as some other backs. Hence the powerful running style. At times, it becomes a challenge for him to change direction quickly. This limits his ability to evade tacklers in tight situations and could reduce his effectiveness on outside runs.
Draft Stock: Eligible 2025
Consensus Projected Draft Capital: Day Two Prospect
Personal Projected Draft Capital: Day Two Prospect
Ideal Landing Spot: New York Giants
Hampton would be an excellent fit for the New York Giants, bringing his size, strength, and efficiency needed to improve their backfield. Standing a six feet and weighing around 220 pounds, Hampton has the physical profile to handle a full workload in the NFL. His mixture of size and power allows him to consistently gain yards after contact, moving the chains and wearing down defenses over the course of a game. Hampton’s ability to withstand the grind of a fulls season makes him an ideal candidate to bring the Giants running game back to life. Something they want after losing star running back Saquon Barkley. His running style is a blend of elusiveness and brute strength.
He is a threat every time he touches the ball to power through the middle of the defense. Hampton’s pure power allows him to bulldoze through would-be tacklers, breaking arm tackles and pushing piles forward. This physical style not only makes him a dangerous runner but also a tone-setter who can control the pace of the game. His ability to generate yards after contact would help the Giants sustain drives, especially in short-yardage and goal-line situations.
Beyond his rushing abilities, Hampton is effective in the passing game. His versatility will add another dimension to the Giants passing attack. He has reliable route running that can make him a legitimate threat out of the backfield. The Giants, who have been heavily reliant on Barkley for offensive production in recent years, would benefit greatly from adding another back who can contribute in both phases of the game. Hampton’s skill set would diversify the Giants’ offensive playbook.
Fantasy Impact
Hampton has been a college fantasy football standout. He consistently produces high-scoring weeks due to his efficient and powerful running style. At North Carolina, he has shown a talent for finding the end zone, breaking long runs, and piling up yardage with ease. His versatility highlights his efficiency as a runner who can deliver both volume and explosive plays. Additionally, Hampton’s skill set allows him to regularly produce big fantasy weeks, making him a top option in college fantasy leagues. He can be a player that can single-handedly carry a fantasy team to victory on any given Saturday.
At the professional level, Hampton’s fantasy impact will depend on landing spot. We see time and time again true studs in college get buried by a committee. However, if Hampton goes to a team in need of a running back, like the Giants, then his ceiling could be an RB1 for fantasy. As a rookie, he will likely enter the league as an RB2. His combination of size, power, and receiving ability makes him a versatile back who can fit into a variety of offensive schemes. If he lands with a team willing to feature him as a primary back, Hampton’s skill set could translate into significant fantasy production. With a proven ability to make defenders miss and contribute in the passing game, Hampton possesses the traits that could allow him to carve out a significant role in an NFL offense. Should he find himself in the right situation, Hampton has the talent to become a high-end fantasy option.
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