The Chargers used up the entire allotted time to make the pick, and it was worth the wait.
With the 22nd pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Chargers have selected Omarion Hampton, the running back out of UNC. Here’s everything you need to know:
Stats & Accolades
- 2022: Played 13 games with four starts. (401 rushing yards, six touchdowns, 4.6 yards per carry).
- 2023: Played 13 games with 12 starts. Second-Team Associated Press All-American. First-Team All-ACC. Finalist for Doak Walker Award (nation’s top running back). (1,504 rushing yards, 15 touchdowns, 5.9 yards per carry).
- 2024: Started 12 games. Second-Team Associated Press All-American. First-Team All-ACC. Finalist for Doak Walker Award (nation’s top running back). (1,660 rushing yards, 15 touchdowns, 5.9 yards per carry).
What the Chargers are getting:
The most complete, NFL-ready back outside of Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty. At 6’0 and 221 pounds, Hampton has the size of a modern-day running back with enough speed (4.46 40 time) and agility to be a productive rusher in any run scheme, but will likely find the most success in power/gap schemes that will allow his patience to shine. In the pass game, Hampton shows the nuance to set up defenders on screens to maximize yards after the catch. Durability issues may arise in his career if he continues his current usage, but he’s missed little to no time in Chapel Hill and projects to be a reliable workhorse the second he steps on an NFL field.
Strengths
- An elite combination of size, speed, and athleticism makes him a true three-down back at the next level
- Wants to pack a punch behind his pads on every run
- Churns out extra yards with consistent forward lean on contact
- Becomes a massive problem with a head of steam
- Defenders need to “double-tap” on tackle attempts or risk secondary chunk gains after contact
- More-than-willing pass protector
- Good feel for the screen game
- A seam hates to see him coming
Weaknesses
- Does not possess elite agility to make defenders miss in a phone booth
- Must stop inviting contact for the sake of it
- Does not often find secondary rushing lanes
Athletic Testing
- Height: 6’0
- Weight: 221 pounds
- 40-yard dash: 4.46 seconds
- 10-yard split: 1.54 seconds
- Vertical jump: 38 inches
- Broad jump: 10 feet, 10 inches
- 3-cone drill: N/A
- Short shuttle: 4.40 seconds
- Bench press: 18 reps