UNC’s Hampton, 2nd in nation in rushing, to draft

North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton declared for the NFL draft on Sunday.

In a statement posted on X, Hampton said, “It has been my dream for as long as I can remember to play in the NFL, and I am grateful for the opportunities that led me here.”

Thank you Chapel Hill 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/2X1khP9EPI

— Omarion Hampton (@OmarionHampton) December 16, 2024

Hampton finished second in the country in rushing behind Ashton Jeanty with 1,660 yards in 12 games, with 15 touchdown runs. He set a new school single-season record with his 2,033 all-purpose yards, surpassing the previous mark of 2,021 set by Don McCauley in 1970.

The junior has rushed for 3,565 career yards, ranking fourth all time in school history.

Mel Kiper Jr. has Hampton ranked as the No. 2 running back in the 2025 NFL draft.