Unbelievable’: UNC football’s Omarion Hampton continues to impress Mack Brown

CHAPEL HILL — Business, always business.

After every big-time performance for UNC football, every notch moved up in the record book, running back Omarion Hampton appreciates the opportunity, acknowledges his offensive line and moves onto the next task.

A man of few words when it comes to chatting about his accomplishments, Hampton keeps it short and uses most of those words to praise everyone around him.

The junior running back stuck to that script after a career night in the Tar Heels’ 31-24 win against Wake Forest, a victory that makes UNC (6-4, 3-3 ACC) eligible for a bowl bid. Hampton finished with a career-high 35 carries for a career-high 244 rushing yards against the Demon Deacons (4-6, 2-4).

He’s very humble. He never asks for the ball. I guess you don’t have to when you get it 35 times,” UNC coach Mack Brown said with a smile.

So what, if anything, fires up Hampton in between the sidelines on a football field?

I feel like just really having the opportunity,” Hampton said.

“God gave me the opportunity to play this game; it’s definitely something I have to take advantage of. It’s something I love doing. I always grew up playing football, so anytime I’m on the field, it’s always a fun feeling.”

That fun feeling was prevalent Saturday as Hampton moved to fifth among UNC’s all-time leading rushers with 3,327 yards, jumping Don McCauley and Kelvin Bryant in the program’s record book.

Hampton’s 244 yards tie for the 11th most in UNC’s single-game history and are the most rushing yards since Michael Carter had 308 at Miami in 2020.

“It’s just so really fulfilling, just making history here,” Hampton said. “Always growing up a fan, being here, it’s really fulfilling.”