2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Omarion Hampton

Hampton completed every test at the NFL Combine except the agility test. He scored an excellent relative athletic score of 9.93 out of 10, which can change as official results finalize and pro days occur.

Background:

Coming out of high school in Clayton, North Carolina, Omarion Hampton was a four-star recruit and the country's #11 running back and #153 overall recruit. Despite offers from Penn State, Florida, LSU, Ohio State, Michigan, and Tennessee, Hampton decided to stay close to home, attending the University of North Carolina. As a true freshman, Hampton played in a rotation and started three games, accumulating 403 yards and seven touchdowns. As a sophomore, he took control of the Tar Heels backfield, putting up 1,500 yards and 16 touchdowns. In his Junior year, Hampton contributed 1,660 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Hampton finished his college career with 3,563 rush yards, 631 receiving yards, 40 touchdowns, and six fumbles across three seasons. He racked up numerous accolades in his time with the Tar Heels:

• 2023: First-team All-ACC, All-American (WCFF)
• 2024: First-team All-ACC, All-American (AFCA)

Amongst 161 FBS running backs with at least 100 carries in 2024, Henderson had the 11th-best overall PFF grade, the 10th-best rushing grade, and the 48th-best receiving grade. His elusiveness rating of 128.1 ranked 15th, and his yards after contact per attempt ranked 12th.

Strengths:

• Chiseled from Stone: Imposing, filled-out frame with an easy hip drop into contact. Hampton is a feisty runner who is not scared of a fistfight.
• Read and React: Quick processor when reading blocks, remaining patient without sacrificing urgency. His mind and body work as one, instantly reacting to what he sees.
• Elusiveness: He plays with impressive tempo in the open field and instant burst to destroy tackling angles.
• Inside-Outside Ability: Hampton has the footspeed to find the corner and turn upfield while still showing good contact balance with a forward lean to fall forward.
• Body Mechanics: His hips and ankles are loose enough to allow for subtle adjustments, start/stop motions, and jukes along his path without sacrificing much speed.

Weaknesses:

• Open Field Tackles: Hampton tends to go down too quickly from ankle tackles in the open field due to a rising pad level. He lets his pad level rise once he reaches the 2nd level of the defense.
• Pass Protection: He is a non-factor as a blocker, and there are moments when he is a clear negative in pass protection.
• Route Tree Experience: Receiving experience is limited to check down routes and screen passes.
• Questionable Long Speed: While he has good short and medium-distance speed, he sometimes gets caught from behind on long runs.
• Overaggression: Hampton occasionally gets hyper-focused on destroying defenders and misses open running lanes.

Final Thoughts and Bears Fit for Omarion Hampton:

Hampton has been a riser throughout the draft process, and it increasingly looks like he will hear his name in the first round. His strengths include a physical running style with a robust frame to support that running style, quick processing of defensive movements, and strong elusiveness, making him a dangerous weapon both inside and outside the tackles.

His weaknesses include struggles with pass protection, limited receiving experience, and occasional inefficiencies in his running decisions. His long speed is also questionable, as he sometimes gets caught from behind on breakaway runs.

If drafted by the Chicago Bears or another team needing a tough, dynamic rusher, Hampton could provide an immediate impact. He might not be a three-down back initially due to his pass-blocking and route-running, but he should see plenty of early down work and see his snap counts grow as he does. Hampton would be an excellent fit with D'Andre Swift in 2025, with the potential to take over as the workhorse in 2026. However, he is not a realistic option at pick ten and is not likely to be around at pick 39. Unless the Bears trade down, Hampton seems unlikely for the Bears.

Pro Comp: Deuce McAllister