Wake Forest Athletics
DVST: Exclusive Feature
Name: Sam Hartman
Height: 6-1
Weight: 205
Position: Quarterback
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Major: Communication
Hometown: Cornelius, N.C.
High Schools: Davidson Day School / Oceanside Collegiate (S.C.)
Quarterback Sam Hartman embraces experiences, leadership role
Sometimes when Sam Hartman holds the football, he zig-zags in various directions. The Wake Forest quarterback thrives on some improvising.
Entering his third season in the program, he also acknowledges there has been a wide learning curve so far.
From the starting quarterback in his first college game to recovering from an injury to holding a backup role a season ago, it has been quite a ride.
“Everything has kind of changed. Last year I learned so much about finding myself and finding who I am and my legacy here at Wake Forest,” Hartman said. “… When I graduate, what are they going to say? That is really what’s driving me.”
The best part for the Demon Deacons is that Hartman could be aboard for three more seasons. Because his 2019 role entitled him to qualify for a redshirt, he enters this season as a redshirt sophomore.
He has learned leadership in several facets, going through back-to-back summer camps in quarterback competitions that drew considerable attention.
In the build-up to the 2020 season, Hartman clearly held the tag of a front runner. “I think I learned a lot my first two camps, things to do, things not to do,” he said. “It is kind of nice to have everybody’s attention, knowing this is your job, this is your team.”
Hartman has collected an array of experiences as he competed with Jamie Newman across a pair of summers.
The first time, Hartman became the starting quarterback, beginning his career with a victory at Tulane. Then a summer ago as camp wound down, Hartman held the backup role. Those variations helped prepare him for whatever he encounters. Even with Newman moving on, Hartman wants to be challenged.
“We’re always competing. We’re always pushing each other,” he said of the quarterback group.
“On paper, it’s not a competition. We’re always going to be kind of pushing. I want them to be pushing me. … It’s still going to be competitive as always.”
When the approach of the 2020 season, Hartman trusts he’ll have evolved into a much more refined player than he displayed on that steamy 2018 night in New Orleans.
“Being a freshman, it’s always coming with the territory. You’re young. Everyone kind of knows you’re young, you haven’t taken a college snap,” he said. “Now it’s a lot more of the mentality. I’m the starting quarterback. I have X, Y and Z amount of responsibility bestowed on me. Now it is kind of on my shoulders, as they say. I can’t be more excited to kind of carry that around.”
He won’t look the same because he’s carrying more weight. He joined the program at 176 pounds but now has filled out to about 205.
Coach Dave Clawson said that the best-case scenario would be that Hartman is nudged to become better by younger quarterbacks in the system. Continuing to develop depth at the position is among the priorities.
After all, Hartman had what might have been considered a premature debut. His freshman season ended with a broken leg on the first Saturday in November.
“In a perfect world, we would have redshirted Sam his first year,” Clawson said.
While Hartman served mostly as a 2019 backup, there was progress. By the latter half of the season, he was practicing at what Clawson described as an extremely high level. The coach also knew it was important for Hartman to be in the proper mindset regarding his importance in the program.
Clawson made it a point to stress to the quarterback that he again could become a featured player.
“There’s clearly a path for you to be a two-year or three-year starter,” Clawson said of his message.
Hartman won’t lack confidence, figuring he has been through an array of situations.“I’m experienced-ish. I played in a couple of games here and there, some big ones here and there,” he said. “Going in, I have a little bit more seasoned feel to it. Still, a lot to learn. I’ve seen a couple of things here and there that will definitely help.”
Indeed, Hartman has compiled notable credentials in offensive coordinator Warren Ruggiero’s system. He already has 3,178 total yards of offense in his career, putting him 22nd in school history.
That’s despite appearing in only four games (including a start against Florida State) last season so he could retain a redshirt status. Even then, he twice posted 300-yard passing games.
So Hartman should seem like one of the veterans on an offensive unit that’s revamped in terms of personnel.
“We’re going to be considerably younger on offense,” Clawson said. “We’re younger, I didn’t say we were going to be worse. There’s going to be some gelling and chemistry that needs to happen there.”
Hartman, who turned 21 this summer, might be the ideal leader, playing with an energy that’s evident as his personality becomes apparent even in a sport where a helmet is worn.
“I like that challenge of figuring out people and seeing how I can get them to give me their best because I’m going to try to give them my best,” he said.
Leadership is important for the Demon Deacons. By Hartman’s account, his assortment of roles has given him a nice sampling along with the understanding that “everything I do affects the program” – something he embraces.
“It has always been (in previous summers) no one knows who the guy is,” he said. “It helps because you have to learn how to lead out front. … (Then last year) learning how to lead from behind, and lead when you’re not the guy. When everything is not sunshine and roses was one of the biggest takeaways from it.”
Clawson has seen enough from Hartman to have a good vibe. “Of my list of concerns, quarterback is not on that,” Clawson said.
Hartman hasn’t been winging it without a plan. He said he adopted a schedule used by former Wake Forest quarterback John Wolford, making it his daily regimen.
Already, he’s able to look back to a couple of years ago and just about shake his head. “That freshman year was tough, made a lot of mistakes,” Hartman said. “It’s very hard to watch sometimes. Just pushing myself to consistently improve.”
The landscape has changed dramatically from his first two years wearing the Old Gold & Black.
Compared to last season when he accepted some of the limitations that would allow him to save a year of eligibility, this time there’s no holding back. For Hartman, it means more chances to create that legacy.
“Just getting to be able to go out there and let it fly,” he said.
Height: 6-1
Weight: 205
Position: Quarterback
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Major: Communication
Hometown: Cornelius, N.C.
High Schools: Davidson Day School / Oceanside Collegiate (S.C.)
Quarterback Sam Hartman embraces experiences, leadership role
By Bob Sutton
Sometimes when Sam Hartman holds the football, he zig-zags in various directions. The Wake Forest quarterback thrives on some improvising.
Entering his third season in the program, he also acknowledges there has been a wide learning curve so far.
From the starting quarterback in his first college game to recovering from an injury to holding a backup role a season ago, it has been quite a ride.
“Everything has kind of changed. Last year I learned so much about finding myself and finding who I am and my legacy here at Wake Forest,” Hartman said. “… When I graduate, what are they going to say? That is really what’s driving me.”
The best part for the Demon Deacons is that Hartman could be aboard for three more seasons. Because his 2019 role entitled him to qualify for a redshirt, he enters this season as a redshirt sophomore.
He has learned leadership in several facets, going through back-to-back summer camps in quarterback competitions that drew considerable attention.
In the build-up to the 2020 season, Hartman clearly held the tag of a front runner. “I think I learned a lot my first two camps, things to do, things not to do,” he said. “It is kind of nice to have everybody’s attention, knowing this is your job, this is your team.”
Hartman has collected an array of experiences as he competed with Jamie Newman across a pair of summers.
The first time, Hartman became the starting quarterback, beginning his career with a victory at Tulane. Then a summer ago as camp wound down, Hartman held the backup role. Those variations helped prepare him for whatever he encounters. Even with Newman moving on, Hartman wants to be challenged.
“We’re always competing. We’re always pushing each other,” he said of the quarterback group.
“On paper, it’s not a competition. We’re always going to be kind of pushing. I want them to be pushing me. … It’s still going to be competitive as always.”
When the approach of the 2020 season, Hartman trusts he’ll have evolved into a much more refined player than he displayed on that steamy 2018 night in New Orleans.
“Being a freshman, it’s always coming with the territory. You’re young. Everyone kind of knows you’re young, you haven’t taken a college snap,” he said. “Now it’s a lot more of the mentality. I’m the starting quarterback. I have X, Y and Z amount of responsibility bestowed on me. Now it is kind of on my shoulders, as they say. I can’t be more excited to kind of carry that around.”
He won’t look the same because he’s carrying more weight. He joined the program at 176 pounds but now has filled out to about 205.
Coach Dave Clawson said that the best-case scenario would be that Hartman is nudged to become better by younger quarterbacks in the system. Continuing to develop depth at the position is among the priorities.
After all, Hartman had what might have been considered a premature debut. His freshman season ended with a broken leg on the first Saturday in November.
“In a perfect world, we would have redshirted Sam his first year,” Clawson said.
While Hartman served mostly as a 2019 backup, there was progress. By the latter half of the season, he was practicing at what Clawson described as an extremely high level. The coach also knew it was important for Hartman to be in the proper mindset regarding his importance in the program.
Clawson made it a point to stress to the quarterback that he again could become a featured player.
“There’s clearly a path for you to be a two-year or three-year starter,” Clawson said of his message.
Hartman won’t lack confidence, figuring he has been through an array of situations.“I’m experienced-ish. I played in a couple of games here and there, some big ones here and there,” he said. “Going in, I have a little bit more seasoned feel to it. Still, a lot to learn. I’ve seen a couple of things here and there that will definitely help.”
Indeed, Hartman has compiled notable credentials in offensive coordinator Warren Ruggiero’s system. He already has 3,178 total yards of offense in his career, putting him 22nd in school history.
That’s despite appearing in only four games (including a start against Florida State) last season so he could retain a redshirt status. Even then, he twice posted 300-yard passing games.
So Hartman should seem like one of the veterans on an offensive unit that’s revamped in terms of personnel.
“We’re going to be considerably younger on offense,” Clawson said. “We’re younger, I didn’t say we were going to be worse. There’s going to be some gelling and chemistry that needs to happen there.”
Hartman, who turned 21 this summer, might be the ideal leader, playing with an energy that’s evident as his personality becomes apparent even in a sport where a helmet is worn.
“I like that challenge of figuring out people and seeing how I can get them to give me their best because I’m going to try to give them my best,” he said.
Leadership is important for the Demon Deacons. By Hartman’s account, his assortment of roles has given him a nice sampling along with the understanding that “everything I do affects the program” – something he embraces.
“It has always been (in previous summers) no one knows who the guy is,” he said. “It helps because you have to learn how to lead out front. … (Then last year) learning how to lead from behind, and lead when you’re not the guy. When everything is not sunshine and roses was one of the biggest takeaways from it.”
Clawson has seen enough from Hartman to have a good vibe. “Of my list of concerns, quarterback is not on that,” Clawson said.
Hartman hasn’t been winging it without a plan. He said he adopted a schedule used by former Wake Forest quarterback John Wolford, making it his daily regimen.
Already, he’s able to look back to a couple of years ago and just about shake his head. “That freshman year was tough, made a lot of mistakes,” Hartman said. “It’s very hard to watch sometimes. Just pushing myself to consistently improve.”
The landscape has changed dramatically from his first two years wearing the Old Gold & Black.
Compared to last season when he accepted some of the limitations that would allow him to save a year of eligibility, this time there’s no holding back. For Hartman, it means more chances to create that legacy.
“Just getting to be able to go out there and let it fly,” he said.