2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Omarion Hampton (RB – North Carolina)

FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in March. Here’s a look at North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton. And check out our entire 2025 NFL Draft Guide.

2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Omarion Hampton

Omarion Hampton (RB – North Carolina)

6-foot-1 | 220 Pounds

Background

Omarion Hampton is a North Carolina native and four-star recruit who immediately stepped into the running back rotation, finishing with 88-401-6 (4.6) as a freshman. He took over the starting role the following year and posted two very similar seasons of 253-1,504-15 (5.9) and 281-1,660-15 (5.9) to conclude his collegiate career. He also recorded receiving lines of 29-222-1 (7.7) in 2023 and 38-373-2 (9.8) in 2024.

Positives

Big, well-built back who has been a consistent, highly-productive workhorse for the past two seasons in the Tar Heels’ zone-heavy scheme. A powerful downhill runner who earned a lot of his yardage on inside zone runs. Has a nice no-nonsense approach, rarely bouncing runs outside unnecessarily. Flashes the patience to wait for blocks to develop, with above-average vision and footwork to find and work into lanes.

Does a nice job of getting skinny and slipping through some tighter holes. One of the best runners after contact in this year’s class, gaining over 1,000 of his yards after contact in each of the past two seasons, per Pro Football Focus (PFF). Turns into a bowling ball once he gets to the second level. Is capable of dominating and wearing down smaller opponents. Runs through arm tackles easily. Works the stiff arm well when running off-tackle.

Hampton’s competitiveness in fighting through contact is very impressive. Shows good leg drive and tenacity to finish runs. Consistently falls forward. Has the explosiveness to rip off big chunks when he has a lane. Relatively well-integrated into the passing game over the past two seasons, with just two drops against 67 catches during that span. More experienced than many of the other top backs in the class in blitz pickup. Has the frame to take on defenders in that role with pretty good technique.

Negatives

Tread accumulated over the past two years has been relatively high. As a big and physical runner, Hampton’s physical style and somewhat high pad level also expose him to more punishment than average and could lead to some concerns about long-term durability.

Breaks a lot of tackles, but isn’t going to make too many defenders miss in space — both because of his temperament and lack of elite agility. Overall lateral balance and flexibility are closer to adequate. A reliable receiver who can catch away from his frame, but not one of the most dynamic weapons in space.

Summary

A big bowling ball of a runner who loves to administer punishment between the tackles, with decisive inside running, plenty of pop on contact and excellent competitiveness/toughness to finish his runs by consistently falling forward.

Hampton has shown he’s capable of serving as a workhorse and is well-suited to wearing defenses down throughout a game, using his strength and physicality to bully opponents. May not be the sexiest option, but teams that want to establish a smashmouth identity could easily fall in love with what he has to offer. Looks like he’ll probably end up being a second-round pick or so. His prior experience on passing downs could turn him into a feature back sooner than some of his peers.

Projection: Round 2

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Ashton Jeanty (Boise State)

Jeanty proved he’s the total package this past season, with an unbelievable combination of vision, patience, creativity, agility, power, balance and speed that nearly allowed him to break Barry Sanders’ single-season rushing record.

Can fit in any offensive scheme, but might be best in a scheme that runs a relatively high amount of outside zone to maximize his home-run hitting ability. After a year in which he dazzled viewers with a nonstop succession of dominant highlights, Jeanty should be a lock for the first round, potentially going in the top half of the frame. Projects as a long-term, every-down feature back who should make an immediate impact.

Projection: Round 1

Check out the full 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Ashton Jeanty

Cam Skattebo (Arizona State)

Skattebo was one of the most productive and exciting players in college football this past season. He combined a natural feel for the position, smooth running skills, a tough and physical temperament and exceptional contact balance, culminating in well over 2,000 total yards on the season.

There’s not a whole lot to critique about his game, besides his lack of ideal explosiveness and long speed. Otherwise, Skattebo has the look of a potential every-down back in the league or at least the power back in a one-two punch. Could get some second-day looks.

Projection: Round 3/Round 4

Check out the full 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Cam Skattebo

Devin Neal (Kansas)

A fast, agile back with good burst and excellent open-field running skills, Neal functioned as a workhorse for the Jayhawks but might be more of a change-of-pace back at the next level, as he may struggle to grind out tough yardage between the tackles as a pro.

Neal’s snaps were relatively balanced throughout his career (more gap until this past season, then a little bit more zone), but might be better suited to a zone-blocking scheme where he’s able to stretch defenses out and cut upfield when he sees daylight. Probably more of a mid-round option.

Projection: Round 5

Check out the full 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Devin Neal

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