“I had a great time at Pitt’s camp. When I first arrived at camp, I got bumped up because I already had a scholarship offer,” stated Franklinville (NJ) Delsea Regional linebacker prospect Phil Sampson (6-foot-2 inches, 220 pounds).
“We stretched, I did the broad jump and ran the forty-yard dash before drills,” he said. “They checked my height and weight as well. I’m normally around 220 pounds but I weighed in at 207 pounds because I had been sick.”
Sampson approached the linebacker’s drills with great anticipation. He has primarily played defensive end for the Crusaders. Pitt projects him as a linebacker on the next level. “This was my first time going through one-on-one drills at the linebacker positions. I got to perform in front of (Pitt defensive coordinator) Matt House and (linebackers coach) Chris Haering. I think I did really well. They had me running through stations like dropping back in zone and hitting the bags.”
“I ran through two sessions of linebacker drills,” he said. “I believe I did better in the second session. It was great working with Coach House. I learned a lot from him.”
“I have a pair of good friends that are going to play running back and safety in college. They helped me run through some linebacker drills to prepare me for Pitt camp. That was a big help.”
Sampson indicated that he has yet to receive a tremendous amount of scholarships to date because most schools want to observe him to work out as a linebacker. Pitt had no hesitation due to his raw athleticism and physicality on the football field.
Sampson has been a two-year, two-way starter for Delsea Regional High School. He has primarily played tight end and defensive end. Pitt head coach Paul Chryst and staff is looking to add at least six linebackers / defensive end types to the class of 2015. Sampson is yet another ‘tweener’ that has the frame to play outside linebacker or weak side defensive end in the Panthers’ 4-3 front.
The Pitt coaching staff ‘rolled out the red carpet’ for Sampson after the morning session. He was provided a tour of Pitt’s campus, facilities and academic buildings.
“I really liked everything. It was very nice. I got to see the Cathedral of Learning and academic buildings,” he said. “I was impressed. I spoke with night before with my friend about committing to Pitt. I thought about it. I felt very comfortable.”
Sampson would like to solidify a commitment to a school prior to the football season. He admitted that the Panthers early offer has put them in a very favorable position. Phil will attend Rutgers camp on June 21st and he believes the Scarlet Knights are close to offering a scholarship.
Phil Sampson can be found on Twitter at @the_REAL_KING9
DreamBackfield.coms’ Harry G. Psaros can be found on Twitter at @PittGuru