Rising Star Omarion Hampton Set to Lead Chargers’ Backfield in NFL Debut

From College Standout to NFL Starter

Omarion Hampton, who played college football for the North Carolina Tar Heels, was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft with the 22nd pick. Now, he’s ready to make his mark in the professional ranks.

In a significant development, Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh has confirmed that Hampton will start over veteran Najee Harris in the upcoming game against the Chiefs in Sao Paulo, Brazil. This decision comes after Harris, who had four consecutive 1,000-yard rushing campaigns in Pittsburgh, missed training camp due to an eye injury sustained in a Fourth of July fireworks accident. Hampton’s impressive performance during training camp with the first-team offense has earned him this opportunity.

Impressive Collegiate Legacy

Hampton established himself as one of the best running backs in North Carolina program history, ranking fourth among UNC’s all-time rushing leaders with 3,565 rushing yards in three years. His excellence earned him two-time All-ACC selection honors, and he joined an elite group as the fourth ACC player in the last 20 years to achieve 1,500 rushing yards in back-to-back seasons.

NFL-Ready Skillset

Scouts describe Hampton as a hard-charging downhill running back with experience carrying a rushing offense. He combines burst and speed to generate big plays as both a runner and receiver. His three-down capability and receiving skills make him an ideal candidate for a bell cow or lead running back role.

Upcoming Challenge

Hampton’s first NFL test will come against a formidable Chiefs defense that last year allowed the third-lowest explosive run rate and the second-lowest yards after contact per attempt. While he’s expected to receive substantial volume in his debut, experts suggest tempering expectations for a ceiling performance in this challenging opening matchup.