Ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft, Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty and North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton are tabbed as the top two running backs in the class by multiple outlets, including ESPN’s renowned NFL Draft expert Mel Kiper. It’s not without merit after the two combined for over 4200 yards in the 2024 season.
Omarion Hampton and Austin Jeanty at the NFL Scouting Combine
Jeanty is largely expected to be the first running back selected this year after posting the second-highest rushing yardage total in FBS history and finishing the season as the runner-up for the Heisman trophy. For that reason, Jeanty is projected as high as a top-ten pick.
The Boise State back opted to not participate in any drills at the NFL Combine, a practice becoming more common among prospects confident in their place in the draft class. However, Hampton majorly helped his case at this week’s event in Indianapolis.
The day for Omarion Hampton —
40: 4.47
Vert: 38”
Broad: 10’10”At a rocked up 221 lbs. pic.twitter.com/9lWApbe9Ex
— Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) March 1, 2025
Hampton earned a Relative Athletic Score of 9.62, fifth among running backs in the 2025 class behind Donovan Edwards (Michigan), DJ Giddens (Kansas State),Quinshon Judkins (Ohio State), and Raheim Sanders (South Carolina).
The Clayton, North Carolina native ran a 40-yard dash with a time of 4.46 seconds and a ten-yard split of 1.54 seconds.
He also posted a vertical jump of 38 inches, a broad jump of 10’10”, and 18 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press.
Hampton measured in this week at 6’0″ and 221 pounds, several inches taller and a few pounds heavier than Jeanty (5’8.5”, 211 pounds). That extra size could make him more valuable to some NFL teams.
Per reports, Hampton has met with several NFL teams in need of his services, including the New England Patriots, Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Dallas Cowboys.
After watching Jeanty come dangerously close to breaking Barry Sanders’ record this season, it’s a tough argument to make against him being the first running back selected.
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However, Hampton’s physical prowess has made the conversation more interesting as we await the start of the NFL Draft on April 24.
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