North Carolina has established itself as the “Running Back U” in producing elite running backs within the Atlantic Coast Conference.
The Tar Heels have built a legacy of developing 32 players who each surpassed 1,000 rushing yards, starting with Don McCauley in 1969. Recently, they have seen six seasons with 1,000-yard rushing performances: Michael Carter in 2019 and 2020, Javonte Williams in 2020, Ty Chandler in 2021, and Omarion Hampton in 2023 and 2024.
Considering their accomplishments and influence, here are the top five running backs in UNC history.
5. Amos Lawrence (1977-80)
“Famous” Amos Lawrence is UNC’s all-time leading rusher with 4,391 yards and 28 rushing touchdowns. His best season came as a freshman in 1977, when he carried 193 times for 1,211 yards — a 6.3-yard average — and scored six touchdowns. He earned first-team All-ACC honors and was named ACC rookie of the year.
Lawrence again made first-team All-ACC in 1980 after rushing for 1,118 yards and 11 touchdowns, the highest single-season touchdown total of his career.
He is one of only seven backs in NCAA Division I history to rush for 1,000 or more yards in four straight seasons, joining Tyrell Fenroy (Louisiana-Lafayette), Denvis Manns (New Mexico State), Ron Dayne (Wisconsin), Tony Dorsett (Pittsburgh), Cedric Benson (Texas) and Damion Fletcher (Southern Miss).
4. Omarion Hampton (2022-24)
Recency bias or not, few UNC running backs can claim two All-America seasons.
Omarion Hampton rushed for 3,565 yards, fourth in school history, and scored 36 touchdowns, which ranks third. He is the only player in UNC history — and just the fourth in ACC history — to rush for 1,500 or more yards in consecutive seasons. His best year came in 2024, when he ran for 1,660 yards and 15 touchdowns. Had he played in the bowl game, he likely would have broken McCauley’s single-season rushing record of 1,720 yards set in 1970.
The Los Angeles Chargers drafted Hampton in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft at No. 22 overall. He became UNC’s first first-round running back in 40 years, following Ethan Horton in 1985.
3. Mike Voight (1973-76)
Mike Voight ranks second on UNC’s career rushing list with 3,971 yards and 42 rushing touchdowns. He is one of only two Tar Heels earned the ACC Player of the Year twice, in 1975 and 1976.
In 1975, Voight rushed for 1,250 yards and scored 11 touchdowns. His peak season came in 1976, with 407 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns, which is still the third-highest single-season rushing touchdown total in program history. He led the ACC in rushing both seasons.
2. Don McCauley (1968-70)
Don McCauley is considered a pioneer among North Carolina running backs. He was the first Tar Heel to surpass 1,000 rushing yards, totaling 1,092 yards and 10 touchdowns in 1969, marking the start of the program’s strong tradition at the position.
McCauley’s 1970 season cements his place here. He was a consensus All-American after rushing for 720 yards and 21 touchdowns, setting an NCAA single-season rushing record previously held by O. J. Simpson. That record still stands as UNC’s all-time single-season rushing mark. He was also named ACC athlete of the year for 1970-71 and is one of only two Tar Heels with at least 000 all-purpose yards.
His career ended with 014 all-purpose yards, second only to Leon Johnson’s 5,828, who played one additional season. McCauley was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2001.
1. Charlie Justice (1946-49)
Charlie “Choo Choo” Justice was among the first postwar college football stars. After serving four years in the Navy during World War II, he played at the U.S. Naval Training Center Bainbridge before attracting significant recruiting interest from Duke, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
Justice preferred to play in the state where he planned to build his career, narrowing his options to Duke and UNC. Using G.I. Bill benefits, he declined an athletic scholarship and suggested the aid go to his wife instead. Only North Carolina agreed.
Justice became a two-time All-American and a two-time Heisman Trophy runner-up, accounting for 64 touchdowns and setting a school record with 883 yards of total offense. He remains the only UNC athlete with a statue on campus.
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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: Ranking the five best running backs in UNC history
