Sam Pendleton prepared to 鈥榓mp it up鈥� for Notre Dame
PFAFFTOWN, N.C. (BVM) — Sam Pendleton has molded himself into one of the best offensive linemen in the state of North Carolina and in the country.
The Reagan High School star is the No. 14 player in a loaded state and committed to Notre Dame in April.
I am committed to 鈥硷笍
— Sam Pendleton (@SamPendleton7)
But this is not something that happened overnight. Pendleton knew in order to get to where he wanted to be, it would take years of hard work and dedication.聽
That was a seed planted early on in his head by his father.
Jason Pendleton played collegiate football at William & Mary. Knowing what it takes to make it to that level, he made sure Sam worked hard from a young age so he would be able to have that opportunity later on.
鈥淚 remember him having that conversation with me mid-game,鈥� Sam said. 鈥溾�榊ou need to amp it up. It鈥檚 time to put your big boy pants on and play football.鈥� That鈥檚 been his message to me growing up forever. That鈥檚 been one of the powerful moments in life that I think back to.鈥�
Not only has Sam worked from a physical standpoint, but he has also become a student of the game. His introduction to legendary offensive line coach Joe Moore strengthened his already strong love for the position that he played.
鈥淗e said, 鈥榃ithout the unit, I鈥檓 nothing,鈥欌�� Sam said. 鈥淭he offensive line is the one position in football where you have to depend on four other guys to have your back. Then you have to carry that 鈥榳ant-to鈥� to carry their burden as well. I take a lot of pride in that and protecting my people.鈥�
While it is the entirety of the unit that ultimately decides the outcome of a play, Sam made himself stand out individually with his elite play.
Going into his sophomore year, he received his first Division I scholarship offer from the University of Marshall.
Soon after, he received offers from Duke and North Carolina State. But then there was a lull that lasted throughout that entire season.
Some recruits in that situation may get impatient waiting for opportunities at some of college football鈥檚 biggest powerhouses. But Sam knew that it was part of the process.聽
鈥淚 knew I had a long way to go in my development as an offensive lineman and as a player,鈥� Sam said. 鈥淏ut I knew in my heart that I was capable. You always have your doubts, but my parents and my support system were really great about reassuring me that it was just the beginning.鈥�
And they were right.
Before he decided on the Fighting Irish, he had racked up 15 Power 5 offers. But at the end of the day, Sam鈥檚 heart was in South Bend.
鈥淣otre Dame is one of those institutions where the tradition runs throughout the entire school,鈥� Sam said. 鈥淭he icing on the cake was Coach Freeman, the coaching staff and the players there are all great. It was something I prayed on and something I had a lot of peace about. At the end of the day, that鈥檚 where God led me and where I feel comfortable going.鈥�
Sam is not the only Pendleton getting ready to begin their collegiate sports career, as his twin sister, Emma, is a Lenoir-Rhyne basketball commit.
鈥淗onestly, I feel like she鈥檚 my greatest asset,鈥� Sam said. 鈥淪he鈥檚 been that person that鈥檚 always made me want to be better. I鈥檝e never seen someone with a better work ethic than my sister.鈥�
The Pendleton work ethic also carries over into the classroom. As proud as Sam is of his All-State recognition, he holds his National Honor Society status just as highly.
鈥淚 want to be a top-level athlete and a top-level student because you can鈥檛 just have one aspect of it,鈥� Sam said. 鈥淢y parents always taught me from a young age that football is the vehicle in which you get your education and your education is the vehicle that is gonna take you throughout your career.鈥�
Sam has goals of becoming an All-American and Academic All-American throughout his time at Notre Dame and ultimately bringing the Joe Moore Award, which is given to the nation鈥檚 best offensive line, back to where the iconic coach made a name for himself.
鈥淚 want to help bring it back where it belongs,鈥� Sam said about the Joe Moore award. 鈥淚t belongs to South Bend.鈥�
