Sam Hartman, QB Wake Forest: Offseason 2023 NFL Draft Profile

Hartman was a three-star recruit from Oceanside Collegiate Academy in Mt. Pleasant, S.C. and Davidson Day School in Davidson, N.C. in the class of 2018

With significant playing time in four consecutive seasons, Wake Forest’s Sam Hartman is one of the most experienced quarterbacks eligible for the 2023 NFL Draft. The former three-star recruit is coming off a breakout season where he passed for more than 4,200 yards and nearly 40 touchdowns. Let’s take a look at his prospect profile going into the 2022 season.

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Sam Hartman, QB Wake Forest: 2023 NFL Draft Profile

Classification: Redshirt junior quarterback from Charlotte, N.C.

Background: Hartman was a three-star recruit from Oceanside Collegiate Academy in Mt. Pleasant, S.C. and Davidson Day School in Davidson, N.C. in the class of 2018. He was the No. 767 recruit according to 247Sports and No. 762 for On3.com. Hartman was an unranked three-star recruit for Rivals and an unranked three-star recruit for ESPN with a 76 grade out of 100. ESPN recorded that Hartman ran a 5.08 40-yard dash in high school. He spent his high school senior year at Oceanside Collegiate Academy after productive junior and sophomore campaigns at Davidson Day School. Hartman passed for 9,481 and 98 touchdowns in his prep career, including 3,093 yards and 29 touchdowns as a senior. He totaled 3,733 yards, 45 touchdowns, and six interceptions in 11 games as a junior and completed 168 of 260 attempts for 2,655 yards, 24 touchdowns, and four interceptions as a sophomore. The North Carolina native’s brother (Joe) plays basketball at Haverford College. Hartman was born July 29, 1999.

2021 Production: 14 games, 508 attempts, 299 completions, 4,228 yards, 39 touchdowns, 14 interceptions + 117 carries, 364 yards, 11 touchdowns

2020 Production: 9 games, 273 attempts, 159 completions, 2,224 yards, 13 touchdowns, 5 interceptions + 63 carries, -1 yard, 2 touchdowns

2019 Production: 4 games, 97 attempts, 55 completions, 830 yards, 4 touchdowns, 2 interceptions + 27 carries, 89 yards, 1 touchdown (Redshirt Year)

2018 Production: 9 games, 291 attempts, 161 completions, 1,984 yards, 16 touchdowns, 8 interceptions + 107 carries, 275 yards, 2 touchdowns

Injuries & Off-Field: Missed four games with a leg/foot injury in 2018, ruled out indefinitely in 2022 with a non-football-related medical condition

Awards: 2021 Second-Team All-ACC

Pros: Offense used limited screens, only three fumbles in 2021, enough mobility to escape the pocket, extend plays, or pick up short yardage, quick release, stands and delivers with pressure in his face, puts good touch on deep throws, threw a touchdown 47 air yards against Army and 45 yards against Florida State, uses velocity to drive the ball into small windows on short to intermediate routes, feet remain active in the pocket, plenty examples of hitting receivers downfield in stride, anticipation led to big plays, solid ball placement on short to intermediate routes

Cons: Age, time to throw has consistently been high, 15 passes batted at the line in 2021, height leads to passes getting swatted, small wind up in his throwing motion, inconsistent accuracy when throwing on the run, trusts his arm too much, tries to complete passes into double coverage or tight windows that lead to potential turnovers, suffered a late season collapse against the gauntlet of North Carolina, North Carolina State, Clemson, and Pittsburgh, arm talent has limitations, several underthrows on deep routes, decision-making runs hot and cold

Overview: Hartman is unofficially listed at 6'1", 208 lbs. The North Carolina native was a breakout star for the Demon Deacons in 2021. Hartman used his toughness, zip on short to intermediate throws, and touch on long shots to elevate Wake Forest’s talented offense. The college veteran displayed many likable traits, including underrated mobility. There are examples of Hartman throwing downfield with anticipation, and his ball placement on slants and deep crossing routes often put his receivers in positions to score. Unfortunately, the former three-star recruit’s size has led to batted balls at the line of scrimmage and will only become a larger concern at the next level. Hartman also shows inconsistent decision-making, which sometimes leads to him challenging double teams or tight coverages. While he has an adequate arm, Hartman is guilty of underthrowing some deep passes and not possessing the ability to hit every throw. There was also a concerning stretch late last season when Hartman threw 11 interceptions in five games (including Wake Forest’s only three losses), most of which were against ACC teams with NFL-level defenders.

Overall, Hartman had a very impressive 2021 season, but he remains physically limited and mistake prone. He lacks the ceiling most teams look for in a Day 2 selection, and his late season collapse against higher level ACC competition will draw hefty criticism. Hartman currently projects as a Day 3 pick.

Role & Scheme Fit: Pocket passer in a spread offensive scheme

Round Projection: Early Sixth to Early Seventh

Player Comparison: N/A

Submitted: 08-04-22