CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WNCN) — For the second season in a row, North Carolina star running back Omarion Hampton has been named a semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award.
The honor, which is presented by the PwC SMU Athletic Forum, is awarded to the top running back in the country each year.
Hampton racked up career highs of 244 rushing yards and 35 carries in the Tar Heels’ win over Wake Forest on Saturday. He currently leads the Atlantic Coast Conference with 1,422 yards this season — good enough for second overall nationally. Of UNC’s 10 games so far this season, Hampton has rushed for over 100 yards in nine of them, including eight straight, which according to the athletics department is a school record.
The junior from Clayton is one of 10 semifinalists this season. The short list of three finalists — which last season also included Hampton — will be revealed on Nov. 26, and the winner will be announced during the Home Depot College Football Awards on Dec. 12.
Last year’s Doak Walker Award winner was Ollie Gordon II of Oklahoma State, who beat out Hampton and Missouri’s Cody Shrader.
2024 Doak Walker Award semfinalists
- Tahj Brooks, Texas Tech
- DJ Giddens, Kansas State
- Omarion Hampton, North Carolina
- RJ Harvey, UCF
- Makhi Hughes, Tulane
- Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
- Kaleb Johnson, Iowa
- Dylan Sampson, Tennessee
- Cam Skattebo, Arizona State
- Brashard Smith, SMU