Abu Sama
Abu Sama III is an American college football running back who plays for the Wisconsin Badgers. He previously played for the Iowa State Cyclones.
Early life
Sama was born on May 27, 2005, in Des Moines, Iowa. His father grew up in Sierra Leone while his mother was born in Liberia; both had near-death experiences during the First and Second Liberian Civil Wars. He attended Southeast Polk High School in Pleasant Hill, Iowa, where he played football and ran track. He won state long jump championships in 2021, 2022, and 2023, and set the all-time state record in the event.As a junior in football, Sama totaled 20 tackles while playing defense and on offense ran for 931 yards and 12 touchdowns as Southeast Polk won the state championship. The following season, he ran for 1,408 yards and 28 touchdowns, averaging more than 10 yards per touch. He concluded his high school career with 372 rushing yards and six touchdowns in the state title game, helping Southeast Polk win their second straight while setting state title game records in both statistical categories. Sama was named the Des Moines Register Player of the Year, the Gatorade Iowa Player of the Year, first-team all-state and was chosen to play in the US Army Bowl. Ranked a three-star recruit, he committed to play college football for the Iowa State Cyclones over other offers.