Who is Sam Hartman? Sam Hartman is a name that echoes in college football circles. Born on August 29, 1999, in North Carolina, Hartman has carved out an impressive career as a quarterback. From his early days at Oceanside High School in California to his record-breaking tenure at Wake Forest University, Hartman has consistently showcased his talent and leadership. He holds numerous ACC and Wake Forest records, including the most touchdown passes in ACC history. After transferring to Notre Dame for his final season, he continued to shine, leading one of the most prolific offenses in the school’s history. Despite going undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft, Hartman’s journey is far from over.
Key Takeaways:
- Sam Hartman, a standout quarterback, made history at Wake Forest and Notre Dame. His records, accolades, and leadership skills have left a lasting legacy in college football.
- Despite challenges, Hartman’s impressive college career and NFL potential have captured the attention of fans and scouts alike. His journey continues with dedication and support from his fans.
Early Life and High School Career
Sam Hartman’s journey to becoming a standout quarterback began in North Carolina and continued through his high school years in California.
- Birth and Early Life: Born on August 29, 1999, in North Carolina, Hartman grew up in a state known for its football passion.
- High School Career: He attended Oceanside High School in California, where he quickly made a name for himself as a quarterback.
- High School Stats: Over his high school career, he threw for more than 1,400 yards and 16 touchdowns, showcasing his potential early on.
College Commitment and Freshman Year
Hartman’s decision to attend Wake Forest University marked the beginning of a significant chapter in his football career.
- College Commitment: Hartman earned a scholarship to Wake Forest University, setting the stage for his collegiate success.
- Freshman Year Highlights: In his freshman year, he became the first true freshman quarterback to win a season-opener for Wake Forest, defeating Tulane.
Sophomore and Junior Year Performances
Hartman’s sophomore and junior years were filled with impressive stats and key victories.
- Sophomore Year Performance: During his sophomore season, Hartman passed for over 2,000 yards and 20 touchdowns, leading the team to notable wins against ranked opponents.
- Junior Year Achievements: In his junior year, he threw for over 3,500 yards and 30 touchdowns, earning a spot on the All-ACC First Team and leading Wake Forest to a bowl game appearance.
Senior Year and Records at Wake Forest
Hartman’s senior year at Wake Forest was nothing short of historic, breaking multiple records and earning numerous accolades.
- Senior Year and Legacy: In his senior year, Hartman broke several school records for passing yards and touchdowns, leading the team to a historic season.
- ACC Records: He holds the ACC record for most touchdown passes with 134, ranking him in the top 20 in FBS history.
- Wake Forest Records: Hartman holds records for career completions, attempts, total touchdowns, and total yards at Wake Forest.
- Consecutive Games with a Touchdown: He ended his Wake Forest career with 34 consecutive games with a touchdown responsible for, the active career record dating back to his 2020 campaign.
- Six Touchdowns in a Game: In 2021, Hartman tied the ACC record with six passing touchdowns against Clemson.
- 300-Yard Passing Games: He recorded 21 career 300-yard passing games, the most in ACC history.
Transfer to Notre Dame and Performance
After his senior year, Hartman transferred to Notre Dame, where he continued to impress.
- Transfer to Notre Dame: Hartman transferred to Notre Dame for his final season in 2023.
- Notre Dame Career: At Notre Dame, he started all 12 regular season games, throwing for 2,689 yards and completing 191 passes on 301 attempts.
- Points Per Game: The Notre Dame team finished third all-time with 39.15 points per game under Hartman’s leadership.
- Passer Rating: He posted a career-high 429 passing yards at North Carolina, including a career-best tying four touchdown passes, with a 136.72 passer rating.
- Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award: Hartman was a top 10 finalist for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award in 2023.
- Bowl MVP Honors: He earned MVP honors at the Gasparilla Bowl, becoming the only player in Notre Dame history to earn two bowl MVP honors.
- 300-Yard Passing Games at Notre Dame: He recorded eight games of 300 or more passing yards, becoming the first ACC quarterback to have 20 or more 300-yard passing games in a career.
Career Statistics and NFL Prospects
Hartman’s impressive college career stats and his potential in the NFL have been widely discussed.
- Career Statistics: Throughout his college career, Hartman passed for 15,656 yards and threw 134 touchdowns with 49 interceptions.
- College Football Legacy: His legacy extends beyond his impressive statistics; he is remembered for his leadership and ability to perform under pressure.
- NFL Potential: Despite his collegiate success, Hartman’s NFL potential is debated, with some scouts viewing him as a strong candidate for a career NFL backup.
- Draft Status: As of July 14, 2023, Hartman was projected to be selected in the fourth round of the NFL Draft by Daniel Kelly.
- Undrafted Free Agent Signing: After going undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft, Hartman signed with the Washington Commanders as an undrafted free agent.
- Quarterback Room at Washington Commanders: Hartman joined a quarterback room with first-round pick Jayden Daniels, Marcus Mariota, and Jeff Driskel.
- Release from Washington Commanders: On October 10, 2024, the Washington Commanders released Hartman, citing his performance and potential for the team.
Notable Streaks and Records
Hartman’s career is marked by several impressive streaks and records.
- College Football Streaks: Hartman held a streak of 258 passes without throwing an interception dating back to the 2019 season.
- Touchdown Passes: He is tied for 13th in FBS history with 116 career touchdowns and holds the nation’s longest active streak with a touchdown pass at 32 games.
Leadership and National Recognition
Hartman’s leadership and national recognition have been key aspects of his career.
- Leadership Skills: His leadership skills were evident throughout his college career, being named a team captain ahead of the 2020 season.
- National Recognition: Hartman garnered national player of the week honors from Walter Camp, PFF CollegeSportsMadness.com, and CFPA following his career-best performance against Army.
- Historic Performance Against Army: In October 2021, Hartman threw for 458 yards and six total touchdowns, leading Wake Forest to a near-record 70 points against Army.
- ACC Record for Total Touchdowns: In 2021, Hartman became just the third ACC quarterback in history to account for 50 total touchdowns in a single season.
Single-Season Records and Career Wins
Hartman’s single-season records and career wins at Wake Forest highlight his impact on the program.
- Single-Season Records at Wake Forest: Hartman holds single-season records in passing yards (4,228 yards in 2021), passing touchdowns (39 in 2021), completions, attempts, yards per game, total yards, and total touchdowns.
- Career Wins at Wake Forest: He ranks second in program history in quarterback wins with 27 in his career.
Notable Games and Offensive Prowess
Hartman’s performance in notable games and his offensive prowess have been key to his success.
- Notable Games: His performance in games like the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl and the Gasparilla Bowl earned him MVP honors.
- Offensive Prowess: Under Hartman’s leadership, the Wake Forest offense was one of the most prolific in the ACC.
Mobility, Arm Strength, and Challenges
Hartman’s mobility and arm strength have been strengths, though he faced challenges with downfield ball security.
- Mobility and Arm Strength: Known for his mobility and arm strength, Hartman made plays both in the pocket and on the run.
- Game Film Analysis: On game film, Hartman appears as a tough and efficient game manager who is inconsistent in producing big plays.
- Slow-Mesh Offense: The slow-mesh offense scheme involves the quarterback holding the football in the running back’s stomach for about 2.5 seconds while reading the defense.
- Sack Statistics: During his time at Wake Forest, Hartman took 35 sacks in 2021 and 34 sacks in 2022.
Career Milestones and Leadership Style
Hartman’s career milestones and leadership style have been defining aspects of his journey.
- Career Milestones: Hartman achieved several career milestones, including throwing for over 3,000 yards in a single season.
- Leadership Style: His leadership style was characterized by his ability to perform under pressure and his willingness to take on additional responsibilities.
College Football Impact and NFL Draft Process
Hartman’s impact on college football and the NFL draft process have been significant.
- College Football Impact: Hartman’s impact on college football extends beyond his individual achievements.
- NFL Draft Process: The NFL draft process is complex, and scouts evaluate players based on various factors including their performance on the field.
Offseason Training and Fan Support
Hartman’s dedication to training and the support he received from fans have been crucial to his career.
- Offseason Training: Despite his release from the Washington Commanders, Hartman continues to train and prepare for potential opportunities in the NFL.
- Fan Support: Throughout his college career, Hartman received significant support from fans.
Media Coverage and College Football Awards
Hartman’s media coverage and the awards he received highlight his prominence in college football.
- Media Coverage: Hartman has been featured in various media outlets, including ESPN.
- College Football Awards: He received several awards and accolades during his college career, including being named to the All-ACC First Team.
Legacy in College Football and Future Prospects
Hartman’s legacy in college football and his future prospects remain topics of interest.
- Legacy in College Football: As one of the most prolific passers in NCAA history, Hartman’s legacy in college football is cemented.
Sam Hartman’s Lasting Impact
Sam Hartman’s journey from high school standout to college football legend is nothing short of remarkable. His time at Wake Forest and Notre Dame showcased his incredible talent, leadership, and resilience. With records in ACC history for touchdown passes and 300-yard games, Hartman has left a lasting legacy in college football. His transfer to Notre Dame and subsequent performance only solidified his status as one of the sport’s top quarterbacks.
Despite going undrafted, Hartman’s determination led him to sign with the Washington Commanders. Though released, his story is far from over. Hartman’s dedication to the game and his impressive college career suggest he’ll continue to make waves in football. Whether as a player or in another role, Sam Hartman’s impact on the sport will be remembered for years to come. His journey inspires future generations of athletes.
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