The Chargers added a big-time playmaker to their offense with North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton, who was the pick at No. 22 overall.

Hampton flew to Los Angeles on Friday morning and here are five takeaways from the first-round pick's introductory press conference:

1. A dream come true

Hampton's NFL dream came true just over 12 hours ago.

It's been nothing short of a whirlwind since being drafted, but one that became a reality for the running back.

"It's been a dream ever since I touched a football," Hampton said. "I'm excited for it, it's been a dream come true."

Hampton, who met Chargers General Manager Joe Hortiz and Head Coach Jim Harbaugh upon arriving at The Bolt, was in the building for the first time as a member of the team.

It's been a hectic handful of hours, as the No. 22 overall pick has since hopped on a flight and made his way to Los Angeles to make the rounds at The Bolt on Friday morning.

Things moved quickly since he got the phone call from the Bolts last night, but the 22-year-old has been soaking it all in.

"It's definitely been fast, but I've been enjoying it," Hampton said. "You only get one chance to do it, so I've been enjoying the process, having fun with it.

"Not a lot of people get this opportunity, so I'm just having fun with it," Hampton added.

He even got to run into some of his teammates, greeting those he bumped into along the way.

Hampton showed his appreciation to everyone who made it happen.

"It's just so real. It's better than I thought, to be honest," Hampton said. "Surreal feeling just to get that phone call knowing that the team is trusting you to join their program.

"I'm definitely grateful for that," Hampton added.

The pre-draft process is a long one, but the running back said he was grateful to be where he is now and have his dreams come true.

One thing's for certain however — Hampton is ready to make the most of his NFL dreams and get back out on the field.

"It's kind of been a long process just going through the Combine, the Pro Day, all that stuff," Hampton said. "I'm ready to get back out there on the field to play on this level and get back and put the pads on.

"Definitely prepared for that, ready for it," Hampton added.

2. Love of the game

Something Hampton has repeatedly expressed since being drafted is his love of football.

That fits right in with Harbaugh and everyone on the Chargers.

Hampton explained why the sport has meant so much to him over the years.

"There's a lot of reasons I love football," Hampton said. "I've loved it ever since I picked up a football. Just the opportunities it brings to your life. Getting out there with your boys,

The running back detailed his love of the sport and explained how it was part of the reason his mindset is where it is.

"It's something I've always had," Hampton said. "God has blessed me enough to play this sport and I want to take advantage of it."

He doesn't expect it to stop either, as he's already looking forward to coming in and learning right away from some of his veteran teammates.

"Just learning," Hampton said. "Learning from the vets, getting from someone who's been here for five or six years and seeing what they do and how they've stayed in the league for so long. Just how they go about their business and what they do.

"I want to learn, even from other running backs like Najee," Hampton added. "Learn how he sees the defense, how he runs the ball, what he does in 1-on-1 situations. Learning is a big thing for me."

Hampton loves the game, and he can't wait to work towards its ultimate goal.

"It's something I've always had," Hampton said. "God has blessed me enough to play this sport and I want to take advantage of it."

He later added: "There's nothing like having a brotherhood and building a team to a Super Bowl. It's a surreal feeling and you can't do that anywhere else."

3. A Chargers connection

Hampton comes from North Carolina, where Natrone Means was his position coach in college.

That name should be familiar to Chargers fans.

Means was a running back for the Bolts from 1993-95 and again from 1998-99. He earned Pro Bowl honors with 1,350 rushing yards and 12 scores in 1994 and was teammates with Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh in 1999.

Hampton said Friday that he planned to catch up with Means soon but added that he's seen clips of his coach's clips.

"We haven't talked about it yet, but we definitely will for sure. We talk all the time, that's my guy," Hampton said. "We're always talking about football and stuff. He actually showed me his highlights from the Chargers so we always talking about stuff like that."

Means also starred at North Carolina and was the Chargers second-round pick in the 1994 NFL Draft.

Hampton on Friday credited Means for helping him get to the NFL.

"Him having my back through everything. Like if I don't understand stuff, I'll meet with him 1-on-1," Hampton said. "We always love talking ball, even talking off the field about stuff not even about ball.

"He's just always there for me. He's obviously a great player, but good man as well. He taught me a lot of things."

Means ran for 3,885 yards and 34 touchdowns over 59 games in his Chargers career.

4. A moment for his family

As Hampton stood at the podium, it marked a full circle moment for his journey to the pros.

His parents, Cory and Leslie, were in attendance in the front row, and Hampton took a second to show his appreciation for them and their part in the entire journey.

"They mean a lot," Hampton said about his parents. "They've always been there for me since I was a kid.

"I was blessed to have a mom and dad in my family," Hampton added. "Just grateful to them for signing me up for football. They mean a lot."

Hampton said he began playing the sport at an early age, recalling that it was his mother who first signed him up to play.

From there, the rest was history.

"I started off playing flag football before I could put on the pads," Hampton said. "I was blessed that my mom signed me up. I'm really grateful for that."

5. Day 1 at The Bolt

Hampton was a bit wide-eyed when he walked into the Chargers facility Friday morning.

Of course, the size and beauty of The Bolt does that to most people.

"It's amazing. It's definitely one of the best facilities I've seen. It's pretty cool to be here, I'm excited," Hampton said.

Hampton also got a quick tour when he arrived and said he was able to meet a few of his new teammates, including Derwin James, Jr.