Purdue '19 IN RB - Sampson James (Transfer to Purdue)

Ohio State commit Sampson James builds special bond with Buckeyes’ Tony Alford #GoBucks https://t.co/km7m3ODATQ pic.twitter.com/LlAIx3tnx0

— Landof10 Ohio State (@Landof10OSU) May 15, 2018

 

#OhioState RB commit Sampson James in action. pic.twitter.com/DqAXgLtmTZ

— Bill Kurelic (@Bill_Kurelic) June 8, 2018

#OhioState RB commit Sampson James looking good pic.twitter.com/HudN0ryjQP

— Bill Kurelic (@Bill_Kurelic) June 8, 2018

 

TOTE NATION
Avon, Indiana — much like Spring Valley — will rely heavily upon the run game this fall, a group led by Ohio State four-star running back commit Sampson James.

The 6-foot-1, 200-pound James rushed for 1,782 yards and 20 touchdowns last season to lead the Orioles to the state semifinals last season, but the team starts out this year’s campaign as the second-ranked team in Class 6A and as one of the favorites to reach the title game.

If James — the eighth-best running back and No. 158 prospect overall in the Class of 2019 — continues his upward trajectory, Avon should achieve its goals this season.

“Sampson was more of a basketball-minded athlete early on, but I think when he was up with us as a freshman and got some carries during our semi-state run, it really electrified him for football,” Orioles head coach Mark Bless told 1070 The Fan. “When he rotated in with [now-Indiana Hoosiers safety] Bryant Fitzgerald as a sophomore, he was more of a downhill runner with not a lot of shake. He broke out last year, with more elusiveness and breakaway speed. He’s really picked up his leadership ability this year.”

Seeing as he’s come from a long line of Division I athletes, it should be no surprise James’ younger brother, Nathaniel, is also expected to make an impact for Avon this fall as the Orioles’ starting defensive tackle. The 6-foot, 225-pounder junior has yet to land an offer from Ohio State, but it’s possible we’re looking at the next set of brothers to play for the Buckeyes.

“He’s been our strongest player, but what’s caught our eye is how fast he is now,” Bless said. “He’s an explosive young man who started every game last year as a sophomore, maybe overwhelmed at times, but I think the game has slowed down for him, so he can play with more confidence and use his tools of strength and speed.”

 

ONE-TWO PUNCH

Ohio State four-star running back commit Sampson James and Avon, Indiana, meanwhile fell just short of a berth in the state championship last season. The Orioles are one of the favorites to reach the title game this fall, however, and got their 2018 campaign started off right with a 44-13 victory over Plainfield on Friday night.

James set the tone early, giving Avon early lead with a 5-yard plunge for the score. After a pair of second-quarter passing touchdowns put the game out of reach, he then broke a 59-yard touchdown run to put the Orioles ahead of the Quakers, 28-0.

James finished the game with 148 yards and two touchdowns on just 15 carries and had the entire fourth quarter off.

 

#OhioState RB commit Sampson James carried every play for Avon on its second drive punching it in here for a 14-0 lead over Ben Davis: https://t.co/XdmNzEBeGP pic.twitter.com/5ay1BC6AyN

— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong_) August 24, 2018

 

James: 25 carries for 178 yards and 2 TDs in a 41-36 win.

 

Watch #Buckeyes Top247 RB Sampson James rush for 178 yards and two TDs in a big win on Friday. https://t.co/c0E19IahWf @Bill_Kurelic @alexgleitman @BillBankGreene @AllenTrieu #OhioState

— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong_) August 25, 2018

 

'A strong, aggressive runner would probably be his title': Ohio State football commit roundup. https://t.co/26GX9j8bbY

— Tim Bielik (@timbielik) August 27, 2018

 

Sampson James rushes for more than 200 yards

A week he and his Avon (Ind.) team defeated defending state champion Ben Davis, Sampson James had a big night in his team's 29-6 win vs. Hamilton Southeastern.

James rushed 33 times for 207 yards and two TDs and had two receptions for 22 yards and a score. He had an 86-yard run in the first quarter to give his team the lead for good.

 

Running back Sampson James, a four-star commit from Avon High School (In.), ran wild in a 48-0 win Friday. James took nine carries for 130 yards and two trips to the house. He's now racked up 726 yards on 105 rushes this season alongside seven touchdowns.

 

Avon (Ind.) running back Sampson James rushed for 121 yards on 26 carries with a score in a 20-13 win. James has now accumulated 912 yards and 10 touchdowns on 152 attempts.

 

BREAKING: Avon (Ind.) High Top247 RB Sampson James commits to #IUFB. The former Ohio State commit is the highest-ranking prospect to verbal to #Indiana in @247Sports History: https://t.co/Anr3qOiqXY #Hoosiers @MB_Weaver @JeffRabjohns

— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong_) October 7, 2018

 

Obviously, the kid wants to stay home. Best of luck.

 

I think this is the first time I have seen Indiana flip a verbal from Ohio State...……...kudos...….

This was not a case of Ohio State encouraging him to look elsewhere...….

 

Indiana HC Tom Allen said Thursday that freshman RB Sampson James (undisclosed) may be limited during spring practice.

James, an early enrollee at Indiana, "had to get something cleaned up" according to his head coach. For that health-related reason the freshman running back may not be able to take full advantage of enrolling into school early. James is one of the best recruits in Indiana's 2019 class, and was a one-time Ohio State commit as well.

 

Sampson James enters NCAA Transfer Portal https://t.co/pat3U9i7Ma

— OSUBasketballJunkie (@ScarletBuckeye2) August 12, 2021

 

Former Ohio State running back commit Sampson James transfers from Indiana to Purdue. https://t.co/zFJFOUUv3O

— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) August 13, 2021