Abu Sama named Gatorade Iowa Player of the Year

[Connor_Ferguson]

Iowa State commit Abu Sama was named Gatorade Iowa Football Player of the Year today:

RECRUITING: Abu Sama named Gatorade Player of the Year in Iowa

Iowa State running back commit Abu Sama was named as the Gatorade Iowa Football Player of the Year for his 2022 season at Southeast Polk. The former defensive back commit rushed his way into a scholarship to play running back for the Cyclones next fall. His season concluded with a six-touchdow

cyclonefanatic.com

 

[cyclone1209]

Iowa State commit Abu Sama was named Gatorade Iowa Football Player of the Year today:

RECRUITING: Abu Sama named Gatorade Player of the Year in Iowa

Iowa State running back commit Abu Sama was named as the Gatorade Iowa Football Player of the Year for his 2022 season at Southeast Polk. The former defensive back commit rushed his way into a scholarship to play running back for the Cyclones next fall. His season concluded with a six-touchdow

cyclonefanatic.com

A smaller, blazing RB who can make people miss is a huge need in the program right now, he fills that need.

I'm excited about this recruit. I'm instantly intrigued by any RB Kansas State is also in on, seems like a good example where we get in with someone early on in the process - and his confidence in us never wavered because of that.

 

[enisthemenace]

A smaller, blazing RB who can make people miss is a huge need in the program right now, he fills that need.

I'm excited about this recruit. I'm instantly intrigued by any RB Kansas State is also in on, seems like a good example where we get in with someone early on in the process - and his confidence in us never wavered because of that.

He’ll run through you too, if he has to. Great balance. Kid is a stud.

 

[BWRhasnoAC]

Two of them in this class. So awesome.

 

[CyCloned]

Just how big of a back is Abu?

 

[enisthemenace]

Just how big of a back is Abu?

He’s listed as 5’10” 180# or so. He can carry a LOT more than that, if necessary. Abu is also a stud sprinter and long jumper.

 

[MyNameEhJeff]

A smaller, blazing RB who can make people miss is a huge need in the program right now, he fills that need.

I'm excited about this recruit. I'm instantly intrigued by any RB Kansas State is also in on, seems like a good example where we get in with someone early on in the process - and his confidence in us never wavered because of that.

Iowa was pushing hard for him the last couple months/weeks of his recruitment but he told them to fly a kite

 

[demoncore1031]

Iowa was pushing hard for him the last couple months/weeks of his recruitment but he told them to fly a kite

Do you know if they did fly a kite? That sounds like fun.

 

[amishclone]

Is there a reason it didn't go to Kadyn Proctor? Is an award where you need a lot of stats?

 

[NoCreativity]

Is there a reason it didn't go to Kadyn Proctor? Is an award where you need a lot of stats?

Probably because he went to Alabama.

 

[CyCloned]

Is there a reason it didn't go to Kadyn Proctor? Is an award where you need a lot of stats?

Abu absolutely ran wild in the state championship game. I think that says a lot about the kids ability to make plays. Proctor is still a better pro prospect then Abu is but that isn't what the award is about. I am hoping that the coaching staff brings a flanker position back to use his talents. JJ Moses had some great games by getting to the edge on sweeps and reverses.

 

[RustShack]

Is there a reason it didn't go to Kadyn Proctor? Is an award where you need a lot of stats?

Has it ever gone to a lineman?

 

[CyLyte2]

Has it ever gone to a lineman?

Aaron Graves won it last year.

 

[Lookoverhere]

Is there a reason it didn't go to Kadyn Proctor? Is an award where you need a lot of stats?

I would say it was because Sama is/was a better football player at the high school level than Proctor. Proctor was an intimidating, dominant blocker but Sama did everything. In addition to his running stats (1,400+ rushing yards, 9.8 yards/carry, 30 total TD) he was a true lock down corner and maybe more valuable on defense than offense. No one threw to his side the whole season. They rested him a lot on offense as evidenced by his backup having 1,200+ yards rushing but, when healthy, he played nearly every snap on defense.

 

[Aclone]

Is there a reason it didn't go to Kadyn Proctor? Is an award where you need a lot of stats?

Generally speaking, the Gatorade POTY goes to the player with the gaudiest stats plus a state championship. In Abu’s case, he also had a monster state championship game for the cherry on top.

Other guys (non offensive stats athletes) win it in the absence of players possessing all of the above.

 

[enisthemenace]

 

[Cyforce]

He fast, he so fast he makes fast guys look slow.

 

[CycloneVet]

Is he gonna run track at ISU too?

 

[Rabbuk]

That's just a ridiculously fast heat in general.

 

[enisthemenace]

That's just a ridiculously fast heat in general.

Some good times there. Those two from Ankeny are young (junior and sophomore) too.