Sam Decides

For most of Thursday, three-star Allen (Texas) linebacker Christian Sam had a captive audience as college football fans and coaches alike waited to hear his college announcement.

The 6-foot-2, 206-pound outside linebacker had narrowed his list down to a final five of Arizona State, Baylor, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, and Texas Tech, and he passed along word his choice would be revealed on Thursday afternoon.

Around 5 p.m. CST, the tweet finally came across from @ShowinStatsSam, he was a Sun Devil.

"I have just committed to Arizona State Univerisity!!! #ForksUp #BallSoHardUniversity" Sam tweeted.

It was a close decision, with Baylor also making a strong push and Ole Miss right behind them. However, there were a few things about Arizona State that put them over the top of the competition.

"Like I said about coach Graham and the whole staff, they're great people. And being away from home, like I was telling you, you have to be able to trust the coaching staff and everything," Sam said. "If you're going to be away from home you have to be able to trust the coaching staff and trust they will take care of you and they have the best intentions for you. I felt that with Arizona State.

"And I always knew I had to go to go a school that was best for my abilities and they fit perfectly for me. They have all these different linebacker spots and I can come off the edge and play in space and it benefits my technique and skills of rushing the passer and coming off the edge and using my speed and athletic ability.

"Then they have my major and everything so it all works out. They're top three in the country in my major of broadcast journalism so I really like that. The people down there, the fans, it's just great down there."

The Sun Devil's defensive scheme and how it played into his skillset was a big factor for the Allen standout.

"They have four linebackers - devil, spur, sam, and will - and the ones they could see me playing are on the edge, the spur and the devil, but they know I can play will too," Sam said. "That really helps me get on the field faster and that was a big thing too. They told me I have the ability to come in and impact early and that really affected me. Seeing my film and their film and how it related so well it was a no brainer."

Sam's decision comes on the heels of a recent visit to Arizona State, but even before his trip he had an idea he would wind up a Sun Devil. He has been leaning towards the Sun Devils for about a week and a half but he knew once he was in Tempe he knew he would not stay away for long.

"After they showed me where I could fit in and the people down there and the things they have going on because they have all those renovations about to take place down there. The coaching staff for sure. My coach, me and coach Randolph, we got along the first day I got down there. That's big to be able to get along with your coach because that's where you're going to be for the next three or four years."

Sam is the eighth commitment to the Sun Devils 2014 class and the second Texan to commit to coach Todd Graham and his staff.