After having signed Najee Harris as a free agent, the charges brought another ball carrier with their first -round choice in Omarion Hampton in North Carolina.
Managing Director Joe Hortiz said after the selection that he did not think Hampton would be on the board of directors when Los Angeles came to No. 22.
“(H) e was one of those unanimous guys and you anticipate unanimous guys who left. But we are drawn he was there“Said Hortiz, via Eric Smith on the team’s website.” He’s a guy, throughout the process in the fall, scouts identified very early as a guy they really like. The coaches got involved, the same thing.
“Lots of love for him, a guy we feel could have an impact on our team and really a guy who has held his water throughout the process.”
Hampton was twice all-American of the first team, after managing the increase by rushing in 2023 and 2024. Although the quarter-arre Drake Maye passed to the NFL after the 2023 season, he increased his production last year, rushing for 1660 yards with 15 touchdown. He also captured 38 passes for 373 yards with two affected.
“I returned last year when I was evaluating Drake Maye and other players in North Carolina in the fall,” said Hortiz. “He stood out at the time. There was just this great physical runner with a speed of breakup and punish people and make the guys miss. It was like: “Wow, it’s a hell of a back.
“And to watch it start again this year – two years of production, sustainability, a high character, the work ethics of the charts – all that is to him is what brings out it.”
In 38 matches in North Carolina with 28 departures, Hampton rushed to 3,565 yards with 36 affected, with an average of 5.73 yards per race.
