KFBCA Top 11: Sam Elliott

The Kansas Football Coaches Association picked their All-State teams December 5th and 6th, including their Top 11. Kansas Pregame is providing capsules for each of the Top 11 selections. Check out Buhler running back and linebacker Sam Elliott's capsule below and check back for more capsules throughout the week.

Sam Elliott, RB/LB, 5-7, 165, Buhler

Being among the most productive running attacks in the state, Sam Elliott and his Buhler team were a force offensively in 2021.

Running behind a talented offensive line group consisting of senior Jackson Childs, senior Wes Miller, junior Blake Ellis, junior Bryan Regier, freshman Bodey Redenbaugh and senior Bo Van Bruggen, Elliott finished the season with 2,294 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns on the ground, breaking the school’s single season rushing yardage record, and giving him a career mark of 5,172 yards rushing. 

While he is a truly outstanding running back, his ability to bring down opposing ballcarriers is equally impressive. Navigating the field like a shark sensing blood in the water, he finished his senior season with 109 tackles, a sack, 10 tackles-for-loss, four QB hurries, and a forced fumble.

Elliott’s impressive numbers helped Buhler make it to the semifinals of the 4A state playoffs, before they were defeated by Andover Central, finishing the season with a 10-2 record and a third best final rating in Kansas Pregame’s 4A Prep Power Index. 

“Sam is very strong and he has a low center of gravity,” veteran Buhler head coach Steve Warner said. “This allows him to get off blocks on defense and helps him break tackles. Sam also has great vision and can find the open holes.” 

Despite being undersized for a linebacker at just 5-7, 165 pounds, his tenacity, relentlessness and strength are evident. Offensively, this allowed him some benefit when running behind a larger offensive line. Defensively, it was mainly cause for confusion in larger players, wondering why they were hit so hard by a frame more commonly found in the defensive backfield. 

“I think teams have been caught off guard because I am undersized in the position,” Elliott said of his role as a linebacker for the Crusader defense. “But I do all of my fundamentals correctly, that helps me make plays.”

Elliott, who also happens to be a two-time defending 4A state wrestling champ, has an unmistakably high motor on the field, part of what makes him a great player, but he credits the mat largely for that drive.

“I think what sets me apart is that I never give up on a play,” Elliott said. “My wrestling background has helped me tremendously with football and is why it takes me quite a bit to go down.”

Beyond physicality, the three-year starter, who also rushed for 1,900 yards his junior season, has all the intangibles a coach could ever want in a locker room. 

“Sam is a tremendous leader,” coach Warner said. “He leads by example and when he speaks the other players listen.”

For now Elliott will continue his pursuit of a third straight wrestling title and after graduation he plans to attend Hutchinson Community College, but has no plans to participate in athletics in college.