Omarion Hampton looks ready to turn his second season into a breakout year and the people are taking notice. CBS Sports’ analyst Douglas Clawson recently made predictions for every NFL team, pointing out Hampton as a potential solution for a Chargers offense that wants to establish the run and protect quarterback Justin Herbert.
Clawson went as far as predicting Hampton will win the NFL rushing title this season.
During the Chargers’ joint practice against the 49ers in August, Hampton showed why that prediction may not be far-fetched.Whether he was meeting linebackers at the second level or challenging safeties in the open field, the running back didn’t shy away from contact.
The 2025 first-round pick ran with relentless physicality throughout practice, at one point lowering his shoulder into 49ers safety Ji’Ayir Brown and powering through him near the end of a run. Simply put, anyone who got in Hampton’s way quickly learned what came with it.
Under new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel and running backs coach Max McCaffrey, Hampton could become an even bigger piece of a Chargers offense looking to take advantage of both his strength and explosiveness.
McDaniel’s arrival could create more opportunities for Hampton too. The new offensive coordinator’s system has traditionally relied on a wide-zone rushing scheme designed to create running lanes, an approach that could perfectly complement Hampton’s power.
With Alt and Slaughter anchoring the offensive line, the Chargers have the pieces to make the running game the core of their identity.
As a rookie, Hampton recorded 545 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns on 124 carries in nine games. He also added 192 receiving yards and one touchdown on 32 receptions. His momentum was interrupted in Week 5 when he suffered a fractured left ankle, but Hampton returned later in the season.
“Really just putting everything I can into treatment. Everything I can to getting back to 110%.” Hampton said. “I feel like I did that well so I couldn’t be more excited for next season.”
For Herbert, Hampton’s impact doesn’t require many words.
“He’s incredibly tough. He leads by example. He doesn’t say much but what he does on the field is so loud,” Herbert said. “Guys respect him. It’s so cool to hand him the ball and see what he’s able to do. He’s an incredible athlete, incredible competitor. And glad he’s on my side of the ball.”
The Chargers open the regular season against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, giving Hampton his first opportunity to begin turning Clawson’s bold prediction into a legitimate run at the NFL rushing title.
Cover Art/Lead Image: Los Angeles Chargers running back Omarion Hampton. Photo credit: Dennis J. Freeman
JohVonne Roberts is a specialized journalism graduate student at USC Annenberg. Roberts is a South Central native, interested in covering the intersection of sports, culture and community. She completed her undergraduate studies at San Diego State University and has covered teams such as the LA Sparks, LA Clippers and LA Chargers.
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