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Iowa high school football fans knew that Abu Sama was destined for greatness, even during his days at Southeast Polk.
Week after week, he put together highlight reel-worthy performances, including a stat line of 372 yards and six touchdowns in the 2022 state championship game. And then he took his talents to Iowa State football.
The former Rams running back turned Cyclones’ star never missed a beat.
On Nov. 25, Sama rushed for 276 yards and three touchdowns – including a 71-yard score on the first offensive play of the game – against Kansas State. It was his first career start, something he earned after two other running backs – Eli Sanders and Cartevious Norton- did not travel to Manhattan with the team.
Iowa State’s Abu Sama, seen here during the AutoZone Liberty Bowl on Dec. 29, is expected to make a major leap in his second season with the Cyclones.
More: Two key areas Iowa State football can improve to unlock big 2024 season for Cyclones
Two days later, Sanders and Norton officially entered the transfer portal.
Sama’s performance – which included two 70-plus yard rushing touchdowns, the most by a Big 12 player since Adrian Peterson – put him in elite company.
“It was crazy,” Sama told the Des Moines Register during a We Will Collective event at Principal Park on Saturday. “(Peterson is) a great running back, one of the best running backs to ever play football. And my name being with his, it was amazing.”
Sama isn’t one to get starstruck, and the Iowa State staff doesn’t have time for the rising star to focus on last season’s success, especially with a change in the coaching staff.
Cyclones special teams and running backs coach Jordan Langs departed the program at the end of last season. Jake Waters, who has been with the program since 2021, was promoted to running backs coach. He inherited a…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/abu-sama-focused-growth-breakout-110248425.html
Author : The Des Moines Register
Publish date : 2024-07-03 11:02:48
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