Picture this: a 6-foot-8, 310-pound sophomore striding through the halls of Archbishop Hoban High School in Akron, Ohio, with a subtle smile and an aspiration bigger than his frame. That's Sam Greer—a gentle giant stirring up waves in the football world, not so much due to his size, but due to the heart and hustle he brings to everything he does. Already 16 and among the hottest recruits in the class of 2026, he's a prospect to keep an eye on, and his story is one of grit as much as gridiron greatness.

A Multisport Kid with a Football Future

Sam’s no stranger to the spotlight at Hoban, a school that’s practically a factory for state titles and college talent. As a freshman in 2022, he was already dipping his toes into varsity football, playing in seven or eight games before a nagging back injury forced him to take a breather. “It was tough,” he admitted later, but you wouldn’t know it from how he bounced back. That same year, he traded cleats for sneakers and showed up on the basketball court, too. Starting on JV while his body healed, he worked his way up to varsity and ended up starting in the OHSAA Division I state final four. Twelve points and 12 rebounds in one game, 12 points and three steals in another—he was a force, even as the youngest guy out there.

“I like proving I can do more than people expect,” Sam said once, and it’s that kind of quiet determination that’s got coaches buzzing. His football coach, Tim Tyrrell, saw it early. “He would’ve started as a freshman if not for that injury,” Tyrrell said. “Kid’s got something special.”

The Day Ohio State Came Calling

April 5, 2023, was a day Sam won’t forget. He’d tagged along with his coach for a visit to Ohio State, figuring it’d be a cool tour and maybe a handshake or two. Instead, he walked out with his first Division I scholarship offer—from the Buckeyes, no less. “I was shocked,” he told cleveland.com, laughing about how he didn’t see it coming. “I thought they’d just show me around.” That offer flipped a switch. Suddenly, this lanky freshman was on the radar of college football’s biggest names.

Since then, it’s been a whirlwind. Michigan, Florida, Tennessee, Miami, LSU—you name the powerhouse, they’ve probably offered Sam a spot. By February 2025, he’s got over 18 offers stacked up, and recruiters are tripping over themselves to get him on campus. He’s a four-star kid now, ranked among the top offensive tackles in his class, but he’s still the same Sam: humble, hardworking, and a little overwhelmed by it all.

Bumps in the Road

Life hasn’t handed Sam everything on a silver platter. In August 2023, he broke his leg—a gut punch that needed surgery and kept him off the field for weeks. “It was rough, just sitting there watching,” he said. But he didn’t sulk. He leaned on his teammates, guys like Nate Cross and Will Satterwhite, who’ve been in his shoes and know what it takes to get to the next level. “They’ve been huge for me,” Sam said. “They’re always pushing me to get better.”

And get better he did. Back in the weight room, he’s piling on muscle—some say he’s up to 305 pounds now—and sharpening his game. “Three more years with him here?” Nate Cross grinned. “Man, that’s gonna be scary.”

The Recruitment Rollercoaster

Fast forward to 2025, and Sam’s got a spring packed with plane tickets and campus tours. He’s hitting Missouri, Ohio State, Michigan, Miami, Tennessee, Florida, Florida State, and Wisconsin—all before summer hits. “I want to see what’s out there,” he explained. “Meet the coaches, feel the vibe.” Ohio State’s still got a hometown pull—he’s an Akron kid, after all—and some folks are betting he’ll stay close to home. But he’s keeping an open mind. After a Notre Dame visit in 2023, he couldn’t stop talking about it. “I’d love to go back,” he said, eyes lighting up.

Every trip’s a chance to figure out where he fits. “It’s not just about football,” he told me. “It’s about who’s gonna help me grow.” That’s Sam in a nutshell—thinking bigger than the next play.

The Guy Behind the Size

So what’s Sam like when he’s not pancaking defenders or swatting shots? He’s a big kid—literally and figuratively. He’s got this easy laugh that cuts through his quiet demeanor, and he’s tight with his family and teammates. “I just want to make them proud,” he said once, talking about his parents and little brother. On the field, he’s a wall—6-foot-8 with arms that seem to stretch forever—but off it, he’s the guy who’d rather listen than brag.

His size is what gets him noticed, but it’s his work ethic that keeps him there. Whether he’s rehabbing an injury or sweating it out at Hoban, Sam’s all in. “I want to be the best,” he said simply. And with two more high school seasons to go, he’s got time to make it happen.

Where’s He Headed?

Right now, Sam’s focused on 2025—getting healthy, dominating for Hoban, and soaking up every college visit. Ohio State’s got the inside track, but don’t count out the likes of Tennessee or Michigan just yet. Wherever he lands, one thing’s for sure: Sam Greer’s not just a name on a recruiting list. He’s a kid from Akron chasing a dream, one block at a time. And if you ask him, he’s just getting started.