Omarion Hampton prepares for senior season

By RANDY CAPPS

CLAYTON — Omarion Hampton’s numbers are eye popping.

He’s rushed for more than 3,400 yards and 49 touchdowns in his three years at Cleveland High and in the process, became one of the most sought after recruits in the country. He’s also a little over 6 feet tall, weighs about 215 pounds and runs with a rare combination of speed, agility and power.

Because of all that, he’s a four-star recruit, according to 247Sports, the fifth-rated player in North Carolina in the Class of 2022 and the 11th-best running back in the nation.

Many times in that situation, players will wait until much closer to National Signing Day in February to make that choice — choosing a hat off a table as ESPN’s cameras watch on. Hampton, after official visits to Auburn, Florida, Ohio State, Penn State and North Carolina, made his choice on July 23, deciding to stay close to home and become a Tar Heel.

“I feel like I already found where I wanted to go after talking with my family,” he said. “(The recruiting process) has been real good. I got to learn a lot. It was good to get out there on the campuses. It was a good learning experience.”

If you talk with him for a few minutes, you’ll hear about his mother, Leslie Hampton, his father, Cory Chappell and his brother, Jamal. You’ll also hear about his teammates and his school. What you won’t hear much of is him talking about himself, which doesn’t surprise his coach, Scott Riley.

“He’s an unbelievable football player,” he said. “A great leader and a great young man, too. That’s what is kind of remarkable about him. He’s always got those physical talents, but he puts a lot of work into it as well. He’s really humble, so it’s a total package deal with him. He’s one of the best high school football players I’ve ever seen, coached against or coached. So, we’re glad he’s on our team.”

It hasn’t be a smooth journey for Hampton, however. In the midst of his junior season, which was shaping up to be his best yet, he suffered an ankle injury against Clayton. It ended his season after just five games and made him a spectator in the Rams’ run to the state championship game, where they fell, 24-16, to Mount Tabor.

“It was tough,” Hampton said. “I feel like they did well and all, but it was kind of hard sitting on the sidelines. I was real proud of everybody and the way they played. The way they put their heart out there. ... Yeah, I definitely want to get back there with my teammates and try to win it this year.”

Hampton is participating in summer workouts and is looking forward to his senior season.

“I’m feeling good,” he said. “I’m basically cleared. I still can’t do certain stuff, but I’m basically 100%.”

With the recruiting process behind him, and after averaging almost 12 yards per carry in his shortened spring season, there’s no telling the sort of numbers Hampton will pile up in his senior season.

There’s little doubt that, if he’s healthy, those final statistics will be amazing.

But they won’t tell the whole story about a young man who enjoys being part of a community.

“I know that Cleveland has helped me out a lot, through everything,” he said. “They were real supportive through the whole ankle thing. It’s been great to be here.”

Omarion Hampton, 28, walks off the field with Julio Fraire during a game this spring.

Photo courtesy of We Journal Great Sports.