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North Carolina football: 3 second-year players who’ll become stars in 2023

By Connor Muldowney

Sep 10, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Omarion Hampton (28) celebrates after a touchdown run against the Georgia State Panthers in the second half at Center Parc Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Omarion Hampton (28) celebrates after a touchdown run against the Georgia State Panthers in the second half at Center Parc Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 10, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Omarion Hampton (28) runs for a touchdown against the Georgia State Panthers in the second half at Center Parc Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Omarion Hampton (28) runs for a touchdown against the Georgia State Panthers in the second half at Center Parc Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

North Carolina brought in two high-four-star recruits in its 2022 class in George Pettaway and Omarion Hampton, but the latter got more run as a freshman.

In fact, Hampton was the Tar Heels’ third-leading rushing last season and the team’s top rusher happened to be starting quarterback Drake Maye. While that just goes to show how athletic Maye is, that cannot happen again in 2023 if North Carolina wants to accomplish its goals.

The Tar Heels need a running back to step up and look like the clear starter.

I think Pettaway and Hampton will battle it out for that starting job as I’m not completely sold on Elijah Green and the ceiling of the offense is higher with one of the two second-year backs leading the way.

Since he showed more in 2022, I’m going with Hampton as the breakout star.

As a freshman, he rushed for 401 yards and six touchdowns on 4.6 yards per carry. If the offensive line keeps improving (it will with Zach Rice), Hampton should see even more success.

He has the look of a legitimate 1,000-yard rusher and North Carolina may just have its next deadly one-two backfield punch in Hampton and Pettaway.

Next. Way-too-early Top 25 projections for 2023. dark

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