UNC head coach Mack Brown has plenty to be excited about with his Class of 2022 recruits. Omarion Hampton, a four-star running back and Carolina commit from Clayton, N.C., was named the Gatorade North Carolina Football Player of the Year Tuesday.

Hampton is also a finalist for the state’s Mr. Football award. He committed to UNC in July, before competing in his senior season for Cleveland High School. He proceeded to set new marks for excellence on the football field in 2021, rushing for 1,948 yards and 39 touchdowns for Cleveland. Hampton also caught 11 passes for 272 yards and three touchdowns. With Hampton running the ball, the Rams finished 11-1 and made the third round of the state playoffs.

Thanks to his win, Hampton is now a finalist for the Gatorade National Football Player of the Year award. He will also compete in the 2022 All-American Bowl with several other top high school prospects.

Hampton will become the second Tar Heel in the past four years to win Player of the Year honors. Current quarterback Sam Howell won it during his senior season at Sun Valley High School in Monroe, N.C.

247 Sports ranks Hampton as the No. 12 running back in the country, No. 3 player in the state of North Carolina and No. 148 player overall. He is part of a UNC recruiting class which ranks No. 8 in the country.

 

Featured image via The News & Observer

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