#41 Sam Sizelove

Redshirt Junior | 6-3 | 230 lbs. | Argyle, Texas

Courtesy Kansas State Athletics

• Position: Linebacker
• Previous College: None
• Projection: Starter
• Status: On Scholarship

Samuel Creson Sizelove (b. June 18, 1995) is a hard-working player who has seen action on both special teams and as a reserve linebacker during his first two seasons. He will compete for a starting linebacker position in 2017.

Sizelove played for Argyle High School under head coach Todd Rodgers, was named the Defensive Most Valuable Player of Texas District 10-3A and was a two-time honorable mention all-state pick by the Texas Associated Press Sports Editors. He was viewed as the 25th-best inside linebacker in the nation by Scout and ranked No. 29 by Rivals.

Sizelove also ranked 88th on Rivals’ Texas Top 100 list and helped the Eagles to win the 2013 Texas Class 3A state championship with more than 100 tackles. His older brother, Jake Sizelove, was a four-year linebacker at Tulsa.

In 2014, Sizelove redshirted and earned the Overachiever Award as the top freshman in strength and conditioning. He then played in all 13 games in 2015, totaling 15 tackles, half a tackle for loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

Sizelove recorded a season-high eight tackles against Oklahoma, forced a fumble on kickoff coverage against Louisiana Tech and blocked a punt at Kansas that was recovered by the Wildcats in the end zone for a touchdown. He also recovered a fumble against the Jayhawks and was named to the Academic All-Big 12 second team.

Last year, Sizelove saw action in all 13 games and totaled seven tackles, including five on special teams. He tallied a season-best three stops at TCU. I view his decreased production last season not as any kind of indictment of his performance, but rather a testament to the excellence of departed starters Elijah Lee and Charmeachealle Moore.