Sam Huard
{{short description|American football player (born 2002)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox college football player
|name=Sam Huard
|image=
|caption=
|school=USC Trojans
|currentnumber=7
|currentposition=Quarterback
|class= {{redshirt}} Senior
|major=Communication Studies
|birth_date={{birth date and age|2002|6|17}}{{cite web|url=https://dynastyleaguefootball.com/player/9993720/Sam_Huard|title=Sam Huard, QB Washington|website=dynastyleaguefootball.com|access-date=August 23, 2023}}
|birth_place=Bellevue, Washington, U.S.
|heightft=6
|heightin=2
|weight=204
|highschool=Kennedy Catholic
(Burien, Washington)
|pastschools=
- Washington (2021–2022)
- Cal Poly (2023)
- Utah (2024)
- USC (2025–present)
|bowlgames=
|highlights=
|espn=4567748
}}
Sam Huard (born June 17, 2002) is an American football quarterback for the USC Trojans.{{Cite web |last=Vessels |first=Chandler |date=January 6, 2025 |title=Utah transfer QB Sam Huard commits to USC |url=https://www.on3.com/college/usc-trojans/news/utah-transfer-qb-sam-huard-commits-to-usc/ |access-date=January 10, 2025 |website=On3 |language=en}} He has previously played for the Washington Huskies, the Cal Poly Mustangs and the Utah Utes.
Early life and high school
Huard grew up in Bellevue, Washington and attended John F. Kennedy Catholic High School.{{cite web|url=https://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/college/university-of-washington/article260772207.html|title=UW Huskies have four former Kennedy Catholic standouts on their roster|work=Tacoma News Tribune|date=April 29, 2022|access-date=January 31, 2023}} He was named the MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year after passing for 3,432 yards and 34 touchdowns.{{cite web|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/high-school/kennedy-catholics-sam-huard-named-freshman-of-the-year-by-maxpreps/|title=Kennedy Catholic's Sam Huard named Freshman of the Year by Maxpreps|work=The Seattle Times|date=January 5, 2018|access-date=February 1, 2023}} Huard completed 248 of 395 passes for 4,141 yard with 42 touchdowns and 10 interceptions during his sophomore season.{{cite web|url=https://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/high-school/article250977744.html|title=Kennedy Catholic's Sam Huard is The News Tribune's spring 2021 All-Area football player of the year|work=Tacoma News Tribune|date=May 7, 2021|access-date=January 31, 2023}} He completed 269 of 426 passes for 4,172 yards with 56 touchdowns and 11 interceptions as a junior and was named the Area Offensive Player of the Year by The Seattle Times and the 4A State Player of the Year by the Associated Press.{{cite web|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/uw-husky-football/five-star-uw-qb-signee-sam-huard-on-the-2021-huskies-i-know-that-were-going-to-be-ready-to-roll/|title=UW QB signee Sam Huard plans to play senior season in spring, but is excited to join 'hungry' Huskies|work=The Seattle Times|date=February 2, 2021|access-date=February 1, 2023}} Huard passes 1,473 yards and 21 touchdowns with no interceptions during his senior season, which was postponed from the fall to the spring of 2021 due to COVID-19.{{cite web|url=https://santamariatimes.com/news/local/san-luis-obispo/sam-huard-former-five-star-qb-recruit-with-nfl-pedigree-signs-with-cal-poly/article_c09aaf52-5f61-5b5f-a876-6495710a8a20.html|title=Sam Huard, former five-star QB recruit with NFL pedigree, signs with Cal Poly|work=Santa Maria Times|date=January 30, 2023|access-date=February 1, 2023}} He also was invited to play in the 2021 All-American Bowl.{{cite web|url=https://aab.nbcsports.com/2020/11/11/five-star-university-of-washington-commit-sam-huard-welcomed-to-2021-all-american-bowl/|title=Five-Star University of Washington Commit Sam Huard Welcomed to 2021 All-American Bowl|first=Gus|last=Ramos|website=NBC Sports|date=November 11, 2020|access-date=February 1, 2023}} Huard finished his high school career with a state record 13,214 passing yards and threw 153 touchdown passes.{{cite web|url=https://www.union-bulletin.com/sports/college_sports/university_of_washington/what-s-the-plan-for-uw-qb-sam-huard-s-freshman-season-is-there-a/article_a380124c-353c-11ec-9e53-ab16916af664.html|title=What's the plan for UW QB Sam Huard's freshman season? Is there a plan?|work=Union-Bulletin|date=October 24, 2021|access-date=January 31, 2023}}
Huard was initially rated a four-star recruit.{{cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2807477-4-star-2021-qb-sam-huard-commits-to-washington|title=4-Star 2021 QB Sam Huard Commits to Washington|first=Kyle|last=Newport|website=Bleacher Report|date=November 23, 2018|access-date=February 1, 2023}} He committed to play college football at Washington as a sophomore over offers from Boise State, California, Florida, Tennessee, and Washington State.{{cite web|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/uw-husky-football/kennedy-catholic-qb-sam-huard-no-1-pocket-passer-in-2021-class-makes-commitment-to-uw-huskies/|title=Kennedy Catholic QB Sam Huard, No. 1 pocket passer in 2021 class, makes commitment to UW Huskies|work=The Seattle Times|date=November 23, 2018|access-date=January 31, 2023}} Huard was re-rated as a five-star recruit during his senior year.{{cite web|url=https://247sports.com/college/washington/Article/Washington-Huskies-football-recruiting-Husky-2021-QB-Signee-Sam-Huard-Gets-Fifth-Star-From-247Sports-160023143/|title=Husky 2021 QB Signee Sam Huard Gets Fifth Star From 247Sports|first=Scott|last=Eklund|website=247Sports.com|date=January 27, 2021|access-date=February 1, 2023}}
College career
= Washington =
Huard entered his freshman season at Washington as the Huskies second-string quarterback behind Dylan Morris.{{cite web|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/uw-husky-football/sam-huard-makes-uw-debut-at-qb-after-dylan-morris-leaves-game-with-injury/|title=Freshman QB Sam Huard makes brief appearance for UW as Dylan Morris exits for one series with an injury|work=The Seattle Times|date=October 22, 2021|access-date=February 1, 2023}} He appeared in four games during the season, completing 22-for-42 pass attempts for 241 yards with one touchdown and four interceptions.{{cite web|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/uw-husky-football/sam-huards-first-goal-is-to-win-uws-qb-competition-his-next-is-to-avenge-the-apple-cup/|title=Sam Huard's first goal is to win UW's QB competition. His next is to avenge the Apple Cup.|work=The Seattle Times|date=April 5, 2022|access-date=February 1, 2023}} Huard made his first career start in the Apple Cup rivalry game at the end of the 2021 season, completing 17-of-31 pass attempts for 190 yards and one touchdown with four interceptions in a 40-13 loss to Washington State.{{cite web|url=https://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/college/university-of-washington/article256144897.html|title=Five-star freshman Sam Huard makes first career start for UW in Apple Cup|work=Tacoma News Tribune|date=November 27, 2021|access-date=February 1, 2023}} In 2022, Huard served as the third-string quarterback behind superstar transfer Michael Penix Jr. and Morris.{{cite web|url=https://theathletic.com/4078793/2023/01/10/sam-huard-transfer-washington/|title=Caple: Sam Huard, the transfer portal and the price of elite talent acquisition|first=Christian|last=Caple|website=The Athletic|date=January 10, 2023|access-date=January 31, 2023}} Following the end of the season, he entered the NCAA transfer portal.{{cite web|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/uw-husky-football/uw-huskies-qb-sam-huard-to-enter-transfer-portal/|title=Huskies backup QB Sam Huard says entering transfer portal was 'hardest decision I've had to make in my life'|work=The Seattle Times|date=January 10, 2023|access-date=January 31, 2023}}
= Cal Poly =
File:CalPolyFootballGameViewAboveIn2023.jpg
Huard ultimately transferred to Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/35558021/ex-washington-huskies-qb-sam-huard-transfer-cal-poly|title=Ex-Washington Huskies QB Sam Huard to transfer to Cal Poly|first=Adam|last=Rittenberg|website=ESPN.com|date=January 30, 2023|access-date=January 31, 2023}} The transfer reunited him with his former head coach at Kennedy Catholic, Sheldon Cross, who had recently been hired as the Mustangs' offensive coordinator.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/sam-huard-transfers-to-cal-poly-as-former-washington-qb-five-star-prospect-reunites-with-high-school-coach/|title=Sam Huard transfers to Cal Poly as former Washington QB, five-star prospect reunites with high school coach|first=Barrett|last=Sallee|website=CBS Sports|date=January 30, 2023|access-date=February 1, 2023}}
Huard opened the 2023 season as Cal Poly's starting quarterback.{{Cite news |last=Ho |first=Matthew |date=September 2, 2023 |title=New QB Sam Huard dazzles for Cal Poly in 27-10 season-opening win over San Diego |work=The Tribune (San Luis Obispo, CA) Web Edition}} He played in 9 games for the Mustangs, totaling 2,205 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.{{Cite web|title=Sam Huard 2023 Stats per Game - NCAAF|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/player/gamelog/_/id/4567748/sam-huard|access-date=May 19, 2024|website=espn.com|language=en}}
=Utah=
On May 7, 2024, Huard transferred to the University of Utah.{{Cite web |last=Kosko |first=Nick |date=May 7, 2024 |title=Former Washington QB Sam Huard announces transfer commitment to Big 12 contender |url=https://www.on3.com/college/utah-utes/news/former-washington-cal-poly-qb-sam-huard-commits-to-utah/ |access-date=May 7, 2024 |website=On3 |language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Utah adds QB Sam Huard: Former 5-star shores up key position group entering potential CFP campaign|url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/utah-adds-qb-sam-huard-former-5-star-shores-up-key-position-group-entering-potential-cfp-campaign/|access-date=May 19, 2024|website=cbssports.com|date=May 7, 2024 |language=en}}
On December 8, 2024, Huard announced that he would enter the transfer portal for the third time.{{cite web|url=https://uwhuskieswire.usatoday.com/2024/12/08/transfer-portal-washington-football-sam-huard-utah-utes-college-football/|title=Former high-profile Washington recruit re-enters transfer portal|website=Huskies Wire|first=Alex|last=Katson|date=December 8, 2024|access-date=December 8, 2024}}
=USC=
On January 6, 2025, Huard announced that he would transfer to USC.{{cite web|url=https://247sports.com/college/ohio-state/article/usc-football-receives-commitment-from-sam-huard-trojans-land-former-washington-cal-poly-and-utah-qb-243639088/|title=USC football receives commitment from Sam Huard: Trojans land former Washington, Cal Poly and Utah QB|website=247sports.com|first=Connor|last=Morrissette|date=January 6, 2025|access-date=January 10, 2025}}
=Statistics=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | |||||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Season
! rowspan="2" |Team ! colspan="3" | Games ! colspan="8"| Passing ! colspan="4"| Rushing | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Record | Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | Avg | TD | INT | Rtg | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | |
| 2021
| 4 || 1 || 0–1 || 22 || 42 || 52.4 || 241 || 5.7 || 1 || 4 || 89.4 || 3 || −32 || −10.7 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2022
| 1 || 0 || — || 2 || 2 || 100.0 || 24 || 12.0 || 0 || 0 || 200.8 || 1 || −13 || −13.0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2023
| 9 || 9 || 3–6 || 185 || 304 || 60.9 || 2,205 || 7.3 || 18 || 10 || 134.7 || 19 || −197 || −5.1 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2024
!Utah | colspan="15" | {{abbr|DNP|Did not play}} | |||||||||||||||
| 2025
!USC | 0 || 0 || 0–0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| colspan="2" | [https://www.espn.com/college-football/player/stats/_/id/4567748/sam-huard Career] | 14 | 10 | 3–7 | 209 | 348 | 60.1 | 2,470 | 7.1 | 19 | 14 | 129.7 | 23 | −142 | −6.2 | 0 |
Personal life
Huard is the son of former Washington and NFL quarterback Damon Huard.{{cite web|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/high-school/the-next-huard-quarterback-has-arrived-damons-son-sam-excelling-as-kennedy-catholic-freshman/|title=The next Huard quarterback has arrived: Damon's son Sam excelling as Kennedy Catholic freshman|work=The Seattle Times|date=October 9, 2017|access-date=January 31, 2023}} His uncle, Brock Huard, also played quarterback at Washington and in the NFL.{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/college-football-sports-kalen-deboer-sam-huard-michael-penix-ef0908777dd9b8d48a37ab2d845e61a9|title=Washington QB competition getting started with spring ball|first=Tim|last=Booth|website=APNews.com|date=April 1, 2022|access-date=January 31, 2023}} Another uncle, Luke Huard, played quarterback at North Carolina and is currently a member of the USC Trojans coaching staff.{{cite web|url=https://theathletic.com/2113677/2020/10/05/pressure-is-a-privilege-the-football-life-of-future-washington-qb-sam-huard/|title='Pressure is a privilege': The football life of future Washington QB Sam Huard|first=Christian|last=Caple|website=The Athletic|date=October 5, 2020|access-date=February 1, 2023}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- [https://gohuskies.com/sports/football/roster/sam-huard/14223 Washington Huskies bio]
- [https://gopoly.com/sports/football/roster/sam-huard/8660 Cal Poly Mustangs bio]
- [https://utahutes.com/sports/football/roster/sam-huard/15597 Utah Utes bio]
{{Washington Huskies quarterback navbox}}
{{Cal Poly Mustangs quarterback navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Huard, Sam}}
Category:American football quarterbacks
Category:Washington Huskies football players
Category:Cal Poly Mustangs football players
Category:Players of American football from Bellevue, Washington