Laramie, Wyo.- When Sam Scott set foot on the campus of the University of Wyoming in 2021, he was a linebacker for Wyoming’s legendary “Cowboy Tough” defense.
Scott grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, alongside one older and one younger brother. He attributes his brothers for shaping his competitive nature. “I’ve always been quite competitive,” Scott reflected. “Growing up with my brothers, we always competed, whether it was sports or anything else. That competitive edge has always been there for me, in everything I do.”
In high school, Sam primarily played defense, yet his team often relied on him as a running back. Wyoming recruiters liked his defensive skills. “I came to Wyoming as a linebacker,” Scott explained. “But I’d been a running back in high school too, so I had experience on both sides.”
His transition to running back at Wyoming came at an important moment. A shortage of running backs leading up to the 2022 Arizona Bowl forced the Wyoming coaching staff to make some quick decisions.
“They switched me over to running back,” Scott recalled. “We had shortages of backs, so they needed me for the Arizona Bowl. I had to learn the entire offense in a month. I remember I had about seven plays of total offense, but for me, it was like my first game ever. It gave me something to shoot for, and they decided to keep me at running back after that. It felt like a better fit for me, and it's been a good experience.”
For Scott, that 2022 Arizona Bowl was a defining moment. “It was huge for myself,” he said. “To switch positions and contribute in such an important game, it was a confidence booster. After that, I felt more comfortable in the role and just wanted to keep improving.”
Since then, Scott has become an integral part of Wyoming's offense. Though he often rotates with other running backs, his contributions are always impactful, including a key touchdown reception against North Texas last Saturday night. When asked about that moment, Scott downplayed his personal achievement instead of focusing on the team’s performance. “It obviously feels great to help my team and to get a touchdown on the board when the game was close,” he said. “But nothing really comes together unless the rest of the team comes together. So yeah, it was a short-lived excitement because the second half didn’t go very well. I just want to win games—I could care less about scoring touchdowns; I want to win.”
This mantra—doing whatever it takes for the team to succeed—has defined Scott’s approach to the game since high school. His path to Wyoming, muct like most of his teammates, wasn’t easy, and it required significant sacrifice from both him and his family. During his junior year of high school, COVID-19 threatened to end his high school career after his original school was among several in Omaha that decided not to play football that year. Faced with the challenge of losing his senior season and his shot at a college scholarship, Scott’s family made a difficult decision: they moved to a different school district, ensuring that Sam could continue playing.
“Nine schools in Omaha decided not to play,” Scott explained. “So my family had to move. We sold our house and moved into a smaller one so I could legally play at a private school, Skutt Catholic. I played about six games there, and by the end of it, Wyoming had offered me a scholarship. It was an immediate commitment after that.”
It was a significant sacrifice, but for Scott, it was worth it. Wyoming had been one of the first schools to show serious interest in him, and he knew early on that he wanted to become a Cowboy. “They found me really through social media and some of the coaches I had during my junior year,” Scott said. “They reached out, but I never had the chance to come visit. It was a far drive for my family, and COVID made things difficult. But when they offered me a scholarship my senior year, it felt right. I knew I wanted to come to Wyoming.”
Wyoming wasn’t the only college taking notice of Scott’s abilities. “Nebraska offered me a walk-on spot, but I didn’t want to take that. I felt like I deserved a scholarship somewhere, and Wyoming saw eye-to-eye with me on that.”
With a big game against Air Force on the horizon, Scott is ready to contribute once again.
“Preparation is the same every week,” Scott emphasized. “I go in every week, do everything 110%, watch film on the team we’re playing. This week is a big one. We’ve got to beat the Flyboys, so I’m preparing the same, but I am anticipating getting more opportunities.”
For Scott, the Air Force game holds extra weight, not just because it’s a conference game, but because of its significance for Wyoming fans. “It’s always going to be a physical, tough rivalry game,” he said. “The rivalry aspect makes it very passionate. Players on both teams know what this game means, the history behind it. It’s a big deal to the state of Wyoming and to the entire staff here, so we’re all focused on improving and preparing.”
“I just want to win games,” Scott said. “Whatever role I’m given, I want to help my team. I’m very competitive, and I’ll always give my best to make sure we come out on top.”
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