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Goal No. 4: IMPROVE. Every day... as a player, person and student.
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#4 Daniel Sams |
Position: Quarterback Previous College: None Projection: Second-String Status: On Scholarship |
Daniel Sams (b. Oct. 1, 1992) is an athletic young quarterback who shined in late-game duty during his redshirt freshman campaign. He was looking to take over starting duties as a sophomore, but will be the backup Friday.
Sams recorded the most rushing yards by a freshman quarterback in school history, while his rushing yardage total was fourth among all freshmen in K-State history.
He began his career on fire against Missouri State, rushing three times for 61 yards, including a 46-yard touchdown. Then he rushed three times for 47 yards and two more scores against Miami.
During that game, Sams teamed with Collin Klein (three) to have two quarterbacks rush for multiple touchdowns in a single game under Bill Snyder. Sams later gained 19 yards on four rushes against North Texas.
Sams set career highs in carries (10) and yards (67) against Kansas, then rushed twice for 4 yards at West Virginia and went 1 for 2 for 10 yards passing and a dangerous near-interception. I'll get back to this consistency point.
The young heir-apparent saw the most extensive action of his career against Oklahoma State, rushing seven times for 20 yards and going 5 of 6 for 45 yards in the air after Klein missed much of the second half with a concussion.
Sams was the only quarterback to whom K-State offered a scholarship in the 2010 class. The question is why?
The answer: Sams is a freak athlete in the mold of Ell Roberson. In him, Bill Snyder likely saw the genesis of the next generation of dual-threat quarterbacks in Manhattan. This guy played six positions in high school.
Those who are tempted to write him off now that Jake Waters has been named the starter to open the 2013 season would be wise to remember that. Roberson wasn't the surefire starter from Day 1, either, but see how that ended?