Post preps editor Neil H. Devlin sat down with six of the top football recruits in Colorado to get their thoughts on the recruiting process, which culminates today when they sign letters of intent.
Three years ago, his career could have been over. During the 2005 opener, a player rolled over his right knee, tore the meniscus and partially tore the anterior cruciate ligament. As a sophomore, Overland offensive lineman Andrew Sampson learned a hard lesson.
“It was frustrating,” he said. “But it’s how you react to it.”
His reaction was embracing a long rehabilitation process. He still had a future in the game, he kept telling himself. And he does.
Sampson was stellar the past two seasons as a left tackle at Overland, knocking over opposing players like a bowling ball toppling pins.
Now 6-feet-4, 280 pounds, he’ll probably be switched to guard at Arizona State, the next step on his career ladder.
“What can I say? It’s a great school,” Sampson said.
Having played in the Offense-Defense All-American Bowl at the Orange Bowl, he already seems far removed from the Class 5A Centennial League.
“It gave you a sense of everybody’s talented, and I won’t be able to push people around like in high school,” he said of the all-star game.
ANDREW SAMPSON
Will sign with: Arizona State
Offers left on the table: CSU, Utah and Washington
All-star credentials: All-Colorado (The Denver Post); Offense-Defense All-American Bowl
Did you know? Sampson was a rare starter as a freshman for coach Tony Manfredi, who has 26 years on the job.
