Kennesaw State University Athletics

CAREER HONORS
2016: Second Team All-Big South Conference
2016: Big South Honor Roll
2015: Team Defensive Player of the Game: vs. Gardner-Webb (Oct. 17)

2017 (SENIOR): Started all 14 games at linebacker … ranked second on the team and fourth in the Big South in total tackles with 82 … ranked third in the league in solo tackles with 50 … finished second among all conference linebackers in solo tackles, third in total tackles, and fifth tackles per game (6.0) … finished the season with 9.0 tackles behind the line of scrimmage for a loss of 43 yards … tackles-for-loss included 3.0 sacks for a loss of 30 yards – good for tied-third on the team … also recorded two quarterback hurries and one pass breakup on the year … returned one kickoff this season – against Monmouth (Nov. 18) – running it back 65 yards … reached double-figure tackles in the first two games to open the season … posted totals of 11 (tying his career high) and 10 tackles against Samford (Aug. 31) and Tennessee Tech (Sept. 9), respectively … also recorded nine tackles and a tackle for loss in the semifinals of the FCS Playoffs against Sam Houston State (Dec. 9) … jumped off the line for a massive 16-yard sack at home against Texas Southern (Oct. 7) … tied his career high with 2.0 tackles-for-loss for 9 yards on the road at Samford (Aug. 31).

2016 (JUNIOR): Second Team All-Big South Conference performer at linebacker... One of eleven players to start in all 11 games for the Owls…Played a key role on the defensive side of the ball as a linebacker… Ranked second on the team with a career-best 65 tackles (42 solo)… Tied for the team lead with two forced fumbles, which ranked sixth in the conference… Collected five tackles for loss…Established a then-career-high 10 tackles at Duquesne (Sept. 24) and earned the team's Defensive Player of the Game award… Followed that with nine tackles at Furman (Oct. 1)… Tallied a new career-high with 11 tackles at Gardner-Webb (Oct. 22)… Forced two fumbles at Monmouth (Oct. 29).

2015 (SOPHOMORE): Started in all 11 games as part of the linebacking core…Finished fifth on the team with 51 total tackles (32ua, 19a)….Had seven tackles for a loss of 40 yards…Recorded one sack for four yards…Tallied one quarterback hurry…Recorded one fumble recovery…Compiled three solo tackles and one tackle for a loss at ETSU (Sept. 3)…On the third play from scrimmage in the Owls’ home inaugural football game, Sam recovered a fumble for a TD for KSU’s first fumble recovery for a touchdown in program history versus Edward Waters (Sept. 12)…The fumble recovery marked the first touchdown at Fifth Third Bank Stadium in program history…Produced six tackles (5ua, 1a) versus Shorter (Sept. 19)…Totaled a career-high nine tackles (2ua, 7a) at Dayton (Sept. 26)…Totaled a sack for 15 yards versus Gardner-Webb (Oct. 17)…Finished the season with eight tackles at Presbyterian (Nov. 21).

HIGH SCHOOL: A two-sport athlete while attending North Gwinnett High School and Lanier High School…Played basketball and football…Named all-state linebacker in 2013…Earned All-Gwinnett County and all-region in 2013…A two-time Gwinnett Player of the Month…Linebacker of the Year in 2012 and 2013.  

PERSONAL: Born on August 25, 1995 in Ohio…Hometown is Buford, Ga…A 2013 graduate of Lanier High School…Son of Isidore and Gloria Sam…Has a brother, Jamal, and two sisters, Pearl and Cassandra… Majoring in public relations.