GREEN BAY, Wisc. (WNCN) — North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton will be taking his talents to the other side of the country as he elevates his game to the next level.
The running back from Clayton was picked 22nd overall by the Los Angeles Chargers in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, which this year is being held in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Hampton played at Cleveland High School in his hometown in Johnston County before joining the Tar Heels in 2022. Over his three seasons in Chapel Hill, Hampton scored 36 rushing touchdowns, which is the third highest amount in UNC history, and recorded 3,565 career yards, good enough for fourth on Carolina’s all-time list.
The 5’11”, 221 pound running back led the Atlantic Coast Conference in rushing in two of his three collegiate seasons, including 1,660 yards in 12 games last year, which marked the second-best rushing season in school history.
Hampton is the highest-drafted running back from UNC since Ethan Horton was taken No. 15 overall in 1985. With Hampton’s first round selection following Drake Maye going No. 3 overall last year, the Tar Heels now have back-to-back first round picks in the NFL Draft since a four-year streak from 2011 to 2014.
Since 2008, Carolina has produced 10 first-round draft picks, which makes the program third among ACC schools in the same time period behind Clemson and Florida State.