Sam Olajubutu
Encyclopedia
Sam Olajubutu is an American football
linebacker
who is currently a free agent
. He was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football
at Arkansas
.
’ Player of the Year. He was selected to the All-Columbus Ledger Inquirer squad. He earned 170 tackles in his senior season in leading his team to the state championship. Rivals.com
ranked him as the No. 54 prep outside linebacker in the nation. He finished third in the state in wrestling in 2001. He was ranked No. 1 in the state in the 215-pound weight class in wrestling
as a senior.
Despite his production, Olajubutu was not recruited by Georgia
, instead only garnering SEC scholarship offers from Mississippi State
and Arkansas.
, where he started 40 games and became just the 14th player in school history to eclipse 300 tackles. He finished with 372 tackles, seven sacks, four forced fumbles and two interceptions and was an All-SEC first-team choice in each of his last two years.
, Olajubutu played in three games and recorded two tackles. He later would apply for and receive a medical redshirt, allowing four more years of participation. As a redshirt freshman in 2003, Olajubutu recorded 85 total tackles, including three tackles for loss and two interceptions.
, Olajubutu had ten tackles and was named one of three Hogwired.com Players of Week. Against #1 Southern Cal
, Olajubutu had 14 tackles. The following week, the junior had 16 tackles and two sacks against #20 Alabama
. His breakout game was against #20 Auburn
, when he had 18 tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack, a quarterback hurry, and a pass deflected.
His efforts made Olajubutu an Honorable Mention All-American by College Football News.com. He also was a first-team All-SEC selection by SEC coaches, and tabbed on the All-SEC second team by the Associated Press
in 2005
. He ranked third in the SEC with 118 tackles. As a junior, Olajubutu was named to the Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List.
season, Olajubutu was tagged on watch lists for the Lott Trophy
, Lombardi Award
, Chuck Bednarik Award
, Bronko Nagurski Trophy
, and Butkus Award. Rivals.com also named Olajubutu as a second-team All-American prior to 2006. CollegeFootballNews.com named the senior the #3 Linebacker in the Nation and the No. 11 SEC Position Player, and The Birmingham News
said Olajubutu was the SEC’s Best Outside Linebacker. Eight separate organizations named Olajubutu as a first-team All-SEC performer.
The senior linebacker had six tackles and a sack in the Red-White scrimmage on April 8.
and 13 against Utah State
. He recorded 14 stops in a win at Vanderbilt
. Following a victory over #2 Auburn
, Olajubutu was named a mid-season All-American, recording 66 tackles in the first five games After missing the game against Louisiana-Monroe with an injury, Olajubutu returned to action against the South Carolina Gamecocks
and recorded three tackles in a win. The following week against #13 Tennessee
, the senior linebacker had eight tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble as the Hogs won 31-14. A victory over Mississippi State gave the Hogs the SEC Western Division title and a berth in the 2006 SEC Championship Game
.
Against #4 Florida
, Olajubutu recorded six tackles, all unassisted, but the Razorbacks lost 38-28. Olajubutu would record three tackles in the 2007 Capital One Bowl
, his final game as an Arkansas Razorback.
. He also was a Bednarik Award Semifinalist, Butkus Award Semifinalist, and Lott Trophy Quarterfinalist. He was invited to play in the East–West Shrine Game, along with teammate Keith Jackson
.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
who is currently a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
. He was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Arkansas
Arkansas Razorbacks football
The Arkansas Razorbacks football program is a college football team that represents the University of Arkansas. The team is a member of the Southeastern Conference's Western Division, which is in Division I's Football Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
.
Early years
Olajubutu attended LaGrange High School, where as a senior, he garnered all-state honors and was named Georgia’s 3A Defensive Player of the Year and West Georgia Player of the Year. In addition, he was named the 4A region player of the year as well as the LaGrange Daily NewsLaGrange Daily News
LaGrange Daily News is a newspaper owned by Heartland Publications and published daily.-External links:*...
’ Player of the Year. He was selected to the All-Columbus Ledger Inquirer squad. He earned 170 tackles in his senior season in leading his team to the state championship. Rivals.com
Rivals.com
Rivals.com is a network of websites that focus mainly on college football and basketball recruiting. The network was started in 1996 and currently employs more than 300 personnel.-Schools:The individual collegiate sites can be found...
ranked him as the No. 54 prep outside linebacker in the nation. He finished third in the state in wrestling in 2001. He was ranked No. 1 in the state in the 215-pound weight class in wrestling
Wrestling
Wrestling is a form of grappling type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. A wrestling bout is a physical competition, between two competitors or sparring partners, who attempt to gain and maintain a superior position...
as a senior.
Despite his production, Olajubutu was not recruited by Georgia
Georgia Bulldogs football
The Georgia Bulldogs football team represents the University of Georgia in football. The Bulldogs are a member of the Southeastern Conference and are frequently a top-25 team. The University of Georgia has had a football team since 1892 and has an all-time record of 738–398–54...
, instead only garnering SEC scholarship offers from Mississippi State
Mississippi State Bulldogs football
The Mississippi State Bulldogs football program represents Mississippi State University in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, competing as a member of the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference. Mississippi State has produced 38 All-Americans, 171 All-SEC selections, and 124...
and Arkansas.
College career
Olajubutu played at the University of ArkansasUniversity of Arkansas
The University of Arkansas is a public, co-educational, land-grant, space-grant, research university. It is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as a research university with very high research activity. It is the flagship campus of the University of Arkansas System and is located in...
, where he started 40 games and became just the 14th player in school history to eclipse 300 tackles. He finished with 372 tackles, seven sacks, four forced fumbles and two interceptions and was an All-SEC first-team choice in each of his last two years.
Freshman (2002, 2003)
As a true freshman in 20022002 Arkansas Razorbacks football team
The 2002 Arkansas Razorbacks football team represented the University of Arkansas in the 2002 NCAA Division I-A football season. The Razorbacks played five home games at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas and three home games at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock,...
, Olajubutu played in three games and recorded two tackles. He later would apply for and receive a medical redshirt, allowing four more years of participation. As a redshirt freshman in 2003, Olajubutu recorded 85 total tackles, including three tackles for loss and two interceptions.
Sophomore
In 2004, Olajubutu recorded 45.5 tackles, including 3.5 tackles for a loss of seven yards, four passes defended, and a fumble recovery.Junior
Opening the season against Missouri StateMissouri State Bears
The Missouri State Bears and Lady Bears are the athletic teams representing Missouri State University. Missouri State athletics date back to 1908. Missouri State is in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision, and most teams compete in the Missouri Valley Conference...
, Olajubutu had ten tackles and was named one of three Hogwired.com Players of Week. Against #1 Southern Cal
2005 USC Trojans football team
The 2005 USC Trojans football team represented the University of Southern California in the college football season of 2005–2006, winning the Pacific-10 Conference , and playing for the NCAA Division I-A national championship...
, Olajubutu had 14 tackles. The following week, the junior had 16 tackles and two sacks against #20 Alabama
2005 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
The 2005 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama during the 2005 NCAA Division I-A football season. This was the team's 73rd season in the SEC...
. His breakout game was against #20 Auburn
2005 Auburn Tigers football team
The 2005 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University in the 2005 NCAA Division I-A football season. Despite having four starters from the 2004 team selected in the first round of 2005 NFL Draft, Auburn finished the season with a 9–3 record, including a 7–1 record in the Southeastern...
, when he had 18 tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack, a quarterback hurry, and a pass deflected.
His efforts made Olajubutu an Honorable Mention All-American by College Football News.com. He also was a first-team All-SEC selection by SEC coaches, and tabbed on the All-SEC second team by the Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
in 2005
2005 Arkansas Razorbacks football team
The 2005 Arkansas Razorbacks football team represented the University of Arkansas during the 2005 NCAA Division I-A football season. It was Arkansas' second straight losing season under Houston Nutt after six straight bowl appearances.-Schedule:...
. He ranked third in the SEC with 118 tackles. As a junior, Olajubutu was named to the Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List.
Pre-Season
Prior to the 20062006 Arkansas Razorbacks football team
The 2006 Arkansas Razorbacks football team completed the season with a 10–4 record. The Razorbacks had a regular season SEC record of 7–1.-Schedule:-USC:...
season, Olajubutu was tagged on watch lists for the Lott Trophy
Lott Trophy
The Lott IMPACT Trophy is presented annually to the college football Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. IMPACT is an acronym for: integrity, maturity, performance, academics, community, and tenacity. The award purports to equally recognize the personal character of the winning player as well as...
, Lombardi Award
Lombardi Award
The Rotary Lombardi Award is awarded annually to the best college football lineman or linebacker. The Lombardi Award program was approved by the Rotary Club in Houston in 1970 shortly after the death of Vince Lombardi. The committee outlined the criteria for eligibility for the award, which...
, Chuck Bednarik Award
Chuck Bednarik Award
The Chuck Bednarik Award is presented annually to the defensive collegiate football player adjudged by the Maxwell Football Club to be the best in the United States...
, Bronko Nagurski Trophy
Bronko Nagurski Trophy
The Bronko Nagurski Trophy has been awarded annually since 1993 to the collegiate American football player adjudged by the membership of the Football Writers Association of America to be the best defensively in the National Collegiate Athletic Association; the award is presented by the Charlotte...
, and Butkus Award. Rivals.com also named Olajubutu as a second-team All-American prior to 2006. CollegeFootballNews.com named the senior the #3 Linebacker in the Nation and the No. 11 SEC Position Player, and The Birmingham News
The Birmingham News
The Birmingham News is the principal daily newspaper for Birmingham, Alabama, United States, and the largest newspaper in Alabama. The paper is owned by Advance Publications...
said Olajubutu was the SEC’s Best Outside Linebacker. Eight separate organizations named Olajubutu as a first-team All-SEC performer.
The senior linebacker had six tackles and a sack in the Red-White scrimmage on April 8.
2006 season
Olajubutu recorded 12 tackles against Southern Cal2006 USC Trojans football team
The 2006 USC Trojans football team represented the University of Southern California in college football season of 2006-2007, winning the Pacific-10 Conference and playing in the Rose Bowl...
and 13 against Utah State
Utah State Aggies football
The Utah State Aggies are a college football team that competes in the Western Athletic Conference of the Football Bowl Subdivision of NCAA Division I, representing Utah State University. The Utah State college football program began in 1892 and has played home games at Romney Stadium since 1968...
. He recorded 14 stops in a win at Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt Commodores football
The Vanderbilt Commodores football program is a college football team that represents Vanderbilt University. The team currently competes in NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Southeastern Conference...
. Following a victory over #2 Auburn
2006 Auburn Tigers football team
The 2006 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University in the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Head coach Tommy Tuberville served his eighth season at Auburn, the third longest tenure among current SEC head coaches that year...
, Olajubutu was named a mid-season All-American, recording 66 tackles in the first five games After missing the game against Louisiana-Monroe with an injury, Olajubutu returned to action against the South Carolina Gamecocks
South Carolina Gamecocks
The University of South Carolina's 19 varsity sports teams are known as the "Gamecocks". The unique moniker is held in honor of Thomas Sumter, a South Carolina war hero who was given the name "The Carolina Gamecock" during the American Revolution for his fierce fighting tactics, regardless of his...
and recorded three tackles in a win. The following week against #13 Tennessee
2006 Tennessee Volunteers football team
The 2006 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the college football season of 2006–2007. Tennessee entered the 2006 season coming off an 5–6 record in 2005...
, the senior linebacker had eight tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble as the Hogs won 31-14. A victory over Mississippi State gave the Hogs the SEC Western Division title and a berth in the 2006 SEC Championship Game
2006 SEC Championship Game
The 2006 SEC Championship Game was played on December 2, 2006, in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. The game matched SEC Western Division champion Arkansas against SEC Eastern Division champion Florida. The second meeting between the two schools in the championship game, it led to a 38–28...
.
Against #4 Florida
2006 Florida Gators football team
The 2006 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida in the sport of American football during the 2006 college football season...
, Olajubutu recorded six tackles, all unassisted, but the Razorbacks lost 38-28. Olajubutu would record three tackles in the 2007 Capital One Bowl
2007 Capital One Bowl
The 2007 Capital One Bowl was held on January 1, 2007 at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida. The game featured the Badgers of The University of Wisconsin, who finished tied for 2nd in the Big Ten Conference, and the Razorbacks of The University of Arkansas, who finished 1st in the Southeastern...
, his final game as an Arkansas Razorback.
Following the season
Olajubutu was named First-team All-SEC by the Associated Press, SEC Coaches, and Scout.comScout.com
Scout.com is an integrated sports publishing company that produces both an Internet and print product. Scout has more than 2.1 million visitors...
. He also was a Bednarik Award Semifinalist, Butkus Award Semifinalist, and Lott Trophy Quarterfinalist. He was invited to play in the East–West Shrine Game, along with teammate Keith Jackson
Keith Jackson
Keith Jackson is an American sportscaster, known for his long career with ABC Sports , his coverage of college football , his style of folksy, down-to-earth commentary, and his distinctive voice, with its deep cadence, and operatic tone considered "like Edward R...
.