Richie Sampson in action for Coastal Carolina. Photo courtesy Coastal Carolina Athletics.
Richie Sampson, a star safety for Coastal Carolina — and formerly an all-Conference and Player of the Year performer for Unionville High School — was signed Sunday as a free agent by the Minnesota Vikings.
Sampson, a 6-2, 205 lb. safety, will attempt to become the first former Unionville player to make it to the NFL.
At Coastal Carolina, Sampson became one of the Big South’s top defensive backs, before battling injuries that ultimately sidelined him for the 2015 season. But Sampson, who graduated in 2016 with a degree in finance, but came back for his red shirt senior senior for the Chanticleers and made the most of it. While pursuing a second degree in marketing at the school — he had a stand out season in 2016.
He was third in tackles, pass break ups and interceptions for Coastal Carolina, while earning game team defensive MVP twice. Sampson showed well at the school’s Pro Day and had appeared on some potential draft lists as a possible late-round draft pick.
At Unionville, Sampson was a versatile athlete, anchoring both the defense as a defensive back and powering the run game. During his senior season, 2011, Sampson was arguable the best football player in Chester County, winning numerous awards.
