UNC freshman RB Omarion Hampton impresses ACC Network analyst: ‘He’s a legit freak’

Running back is a major question for North Carolina entering the 2022 season, but the Tar Heels have at least one good option that is going under-the-radar.

ACC Network analyst Eric Mac Lain was apparently impressed after seeing true freshman Omarion Hampton practice with the Tar Heels early in fall camp.

“Omarion Hampton is the guy,” he said on Monday’s episode of the Gramlich and Mac Lain podcast

. “He’s a true freshman. If you just Google, ‘UNC depth chart,’ he’s not even on it. So nobody knows about this kid. But he’s 6-foot-2, 225 pounds … and he’s a legit freak.”

If Hampton is able to be a difference-maker on Day 1, it would be huge for a Tar Heels offense that needs to replace Ty Chandler. British Brooks is the current front-runner to be UNC’s top running back, but Mac Lain says Hampton’s upside is much higher.

“If you put him [next to] every other UNC running back, you’re like ‘what is that? Who is that guy?’ He’s that much different physically,” Mac Lain added.

Hampton is a North Carolina native. He was the No. 11 running back in the country for the class of 2022, per 247Sports Composite rankings

. He’s 1 of 2 true freshman running backs in this UNC class, joining George Pettaway.

Hampton could make his collegiate debut vs. Florida A&M on Aug. 27.