Sam has committed to playing football at Whittier College, of the SCIAC (Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference). Sam received strong interest from three NAIA schools, and an offer from a NCAA D2 school, but chose Whittier (D3) for its unique liberal arts curricula and the leadership of the head coach.
On June 10, 2013, Sam underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL on his right knee. Sam worked vigorously in physical therapy and upper body lifting, making rapid progress. Missing his senior season of football was a big disappointment for this young man, but it makes him all the more determined to succeed in football at the next level, and to be grateful for the three outstanding years he had at Foothill High, winning a league championship as a Freshman (scoring 21 touchdowns in 10 games), and playing Varsity Running Back his Sophomore and Junior years, reaching the CIF Semi-Final Playoffs both years.