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If not for Omarion Hampton, the UNC football team doesn't extend its bowl streak during the 2024 season. Hampton delivered one of the All-Time seasons in North Carolina history: 1,660 rushing yards, second-most behind Don McCauley, plus 15 rushing touchdowns.
Hampton added two additional 200-yard outings to his storied career: 210 yards and three touchdowns during a 45-10 stomping of NC Central, plus one touchdown and a career-high 244 rushing yards during a 31-24, bowl-clinching victory over Wake Forest.
It should come as no surprise that, largely due to his 2024 campaign alone, Hampton is launching up the 2025 NFL Draft boards.
In former NFL player and current NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks' Mock Draft, the Chicago Bears will take Hampton 10th overall.
"(New head coach) Ben Johnson's immense success with a two-back rotation in Detroit, could prompt Chicago to expend its top pick on a physical runner to partner with the dynamic D'Andre Swift," Brooks wrote.
Hampton wouldn't be the only former Tar Heel in the Windy City, as the Bears are coached by former UNC walk-on quarterback Ben Johnson. The latter led a dangerous Detroit Lions offense, which orchestrated a run to the NFC's top seed, during the 2024-2025 NFL season.
If Hampton lands in the Top 10 during April's NFL Draft, 2025 would mark the second straight year a Tar Heel goes Top-10. The New England Patriots selected Drake Maye third overall in 2024 – and he shows early glimpses of a franchise quarterback.
Running backs have a shorter shelf life in the NFL, due to the physical nature of their position. With a guy like Hampton, though, I can see him playing – and starring – well into his 30s.
Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: Omarion Hampton 10th to Chicago Bears in Bucky Brooks' NFL Mock Draft
Continue reading...
Hampton added two additional 200-yard outings to his storied career: 210 yards and three touchdowns during a 45-10 stomping of NC Central, plus one touchdown and a career-high 244 rushing yards during a 31-24, bowl-clinching victory over Wake Forest.
It should come as no surprise that, largely due to his 2024 campaign alone, Hampton is launching up the 2025 NFL Draft boards.
In former NFL player and current NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks' Mock Draft, the Chicago Bears will take Hampton 10th overall.
"(New head coach) Ben Johnson's immense success with a two-back rotation in Detroit, could prompt Chicago to expend its top pick on a physical runner to partner with the dynamic D'Andre Swift," Brooks wrote.
Hampton wouldn't be the only former Tar Heel in the Windy City, as the Bears are coached by former UNC walk-on quarterback Ben Johnson. The latter led a dangerous Detroit Lions offense, which orchestrated a run to the NFC's top seed, during the 2024-2025 NFL season.
If Hampton lands in the Top 10 during April's NFL Draft, 2025 would mark the second straight year a Tar Heel goes Top-10. The New England Patriots selected Drake Maye third overall in 2024 – and he shows early glimpses of a franchise quarterback.
Running backs have a shorter shelf life in the NFL, due to the physical nature of their position. With a guy like Hampton, though, I can see him playing – and starring – well into his 30s.
Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: Omarion Hampton 10th to Chicago Bears in Bucky Brooks' NFL Mock Draft
Continue reading...
