He's not a default kind of guy
Sampson is ready to show his prowess
By: Richard Linde, Posted 17 April 2003

Ever since running backs coach Wayne Moses left Washington, Husky fans have been on the lookout for someone who would lead the running game to the Promised Land. Could, it be Sampson--Shelton Sampson, that is? (Photo of Shelton Sampson was taken by Ruth Robbins, realdawg.com, and is used with her permission).

With two tailbacks missing from the rotation, (Rich Alexis is rehabbing a shoulder and Kenny James is out with a sprained right knee), Sampson, a redshirt freshman, is making a strong move to secure the starting tailback job. His competitor for the job the rest of this spring, Chris Singleton, is playing with a sore knee.

Due to the battered competition, seemingly Sampson has the job in the bag; however, he’s making the most of it, for he’s not a default kind of guy.

During Saturday’s scrimmage, Sampson bolted for 35 yards, which is an extraordinary accomplishment considering the marks posted by last season’s running backs. Chris Singleton accounted for the second longest run from scrimmage last season with a 27-yard ramble.

Sampson carried the ball 20 times for 70 yards, running at a clip of 3.5 yards per carry. Without the long run, he rushed 19 times for 35 yards, which is less than two yards per carry--that against a rushing defense that finished fourth in the conference last season.

Since Pac-10 teams, in the main, are not known for their defenses against the run, the UW offensive line obviously needs to improve its run blocking.

"He's still got a long ways to go as a pass-blocker, and in terms of taking care of the ball," Neuheisel is quoted as saying. "The good news for Shelton is that there were no fumbles (during the scrimmage)."

During the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in 2001, Sampson sprinted for 30 yards up the gut, only to fumble the ball away at the end of the run. His extraordinary speed on the play was no surprise to anyone aware of his prowess as a high school sprinter. He won six states titles on the track while prepping at Tacoma’s Clover Park High School. His best mark in the 100 meters is 9.5 seconds.

In 2002, he defeated Nate Robinson in the state 110-meter hurdles. Cornerback Robinson is the Washington speedster who has opted to play basketball rather than football this next season.

After spring practice, Sampson will take to the oval, joining the thinclads to compete in the 100, 200 and 1x400 relay. Sprint coach Dion Miller's tutelage during the track season should help Shelton get off the blocks faster in the fall.

On a football scholarship, Sampson wants to add eight pounds to his frame and play at 195 pounds, which should help his blocking skills and make him a more powerful inside runner. Being stronger and heavier should help him hang onto the ball as well.

The Dawgs netted 74.5 yards per game on the ground last season. To win the Pac-10 championship, Washington needs to double that number or face a jailbreak on almost every passing play, most experts say.

If offensive line Coach Dan Cozzetto can add some "mush" to the wide bodies, Sampson is poised to run with the Huskies to the Promised Land—to the Rose Bowl on New Year's day, at the least.

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Notes:

Tailback Rich Alexis, center Todd Bachert, linebacker Marquis Cooper, linebacker Tim Galloway, and tight end Joe Toledo, all have had off-season shoulder surgeries, which have absented them from spring practice.

"More than 70 percent of shoulder surgeries were on shoulders damaged prior to arrival (at the UW)," Neuheisel is quoted as saying.

As a high school student, Sampson excelled academically, earning mention to the National Honor Society three years.

Sampson was born in Los Angeles and lived in South Carolina before moving to Tacoma, Washington in 1999. He stands five-foot-eleven and weighs 187 pounds.

Wayne Moses (Washington 1997-2000) will be coaching running backs at Stanford next season.