Sam Kamara Bio
Sam Kamara (born December 21, 1997) is an American professional football defensive end for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). Born and raised in Carteret, New Jersey, Kamara played college football for the Stony Brook Seawolves from 2016 to 2020. After going undrafted in the 2021 NFL Draft, he signed with the Chicago Bears and has since developed into a contributor with the Cleveland Browns organization.
Early Life and Background
Sam Kamara grew up in Carteret, New Jersey, attending Carteret High School where he played football on both sides of the line of scrimmage. He notably scored seven touchdowns as the team’s fullback while earning first-team All-Conference honors and the Mini Max award, a New Jersey honor recognizing performance, academic achievement, and community service. His high school head coach compared him to Jason Worilds, a fellow Carteret graduate who was a second-round NFL Draft pick from Virginia Tech in 2010.
Despite receiving FCS offers from programs like Maine, Monmouth, and Stony Brook, the only FBS school to express interest was Pittsburgh. Kamara ultimately chose to continue his football career at Stony Brook University, where he developed into a dominant defensive end.
Path to the NFL
Kamara joined the Stony Brook Seawolves football program in 2016 and made an immediate impact as a true freshman, appearing in eight games with three starts. His first career start came on October 29, 2016, against New Hampshire, making him the first true freshman to start a game for Stony Brook that season. During his sophomore year, he started all thirteen games at defensive end, recording 31 tackles and one sack.
His breakout season came in 2018 when Kamara led the team with nine sacks and recorded 42 tackles with 11.5 tackles for loss. He earned second-team All-Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) honors that year. Heading into his senior season, Kamara was named a team captain and saw his name floated as a potential NFL draft pick, with NFLPA scouting director Dane Vandernat stating that Kamara possessed all the physical attributes pro scouts required. However, he played only five games before suffering a shoulder injury and missing the rest of the season.
Kamara returned for a fifth year in 2020, but the season was postponed to the spring due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the shortened season, he recorded 12 tackles and two sacks in three games, earning first-team All-CAA honors. He went undrafted in the 2021 NFL Draft and signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent.
Sam Kamara Career
Chicago Bears (2021)
Kamara signed with the Chicago Bears following the 2021 NFL Draft. He appeared in three preseason games, recording six tackles, three quarterback hits, and one sack. He was waived during final roster cuts and re-signed to the practice squad. Kamara was promoted to the active roster in October 2021 due to a season-ending injury to teammate Jeremiah Attaochu.
He made his NFL debut on October 17, 2021, against the Green Bay Packers and recorded his first career tackle on Aaron Jones. Throughout his rookie season, Kamara fluctuated between the active roster and practice squad. He recorded a career-high three tackles against the New York Giants on January 2, 2022, and had his first career tackle for loss and pass deflection on January 9 against the Minnesota Vikings. Kamara appeared in eight games as a rookie, finishing with 10 tackles, one tackle for loss, and one pass deflection.
Cleveland Browns (2022-Present)
Kamara was waived by the Bears in August 2022 and signed to the Cleveland Browns practice squad on October 4, 2022. He played in one game during the 2022 season, appearing in Week 18 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Browns on January 9, 2023.
During the 2023 season, Kamara spent most of the year on the practice squad before being signed to the active roster in December. He appeared in the season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals and recorded seven tackles. In 2024, Kamara continued his role with the Browns, appearing in the season finale against the Baltimore Ravens where he led the team with six tackles. He finished the 2024 season with 15 tackles.
Playing Style and Strengths
At 6 feet tall and 272 pounds, Kamara brings a physical presence to the defensive end position. His college career demonstrated his ability to disrupt opposing offenses, particularly as a pass rusher. His nine-sack season at Stony Brook highlighted his capability to pressure quarterbacks and create negative plays. Kamara has shown solid tackling ability and has been productive in limited opportunities at the NFL level.
Notable Events and Milestones
Kamara’s professional milestones include his NFL debut against the Green Bay Packers in October 2021 and his first career tackle on running back Aaron Jones. His most productive NFL game came in Week 18 of the 2024 season when he led the Cleveland Browns with six tackles against the Baltimore Ravens.
Sam Kamara Career Statistics
Through his first four NFL seasons, Kamara has appeared in 20 games across the Bears and Browns organizations, accumulating 32 total tackles and one pass deflection. He has contributed primarily as a rotational player on the defensive line.
Professional Career Statistics
| Team | Games | Tackles | Pass Deflections |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Browns | 12 | 22 | 1 |
| Chicago Bears | 8 | 10 | 0 |
| Total NFL Career | 20 | 32 | 1 |
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marks Sam Kamara’s fifth year in the NFL and his fourth season with the Cleveland Browns organization. Kamara re-signed with the Browns in March 2026, indicating the team’s continued interest in his development as a defensive lineman. He will look to build upon his 15-tackle performance from the 2024 season and compete for a more consistent role in the defensive line rotation.
Kamara’s journey from an undrafted free agent to a roster player demonstrates his persistence and ability to contribute on special teams and defense. His familiarity with the Browns’ defensive scheme, combined with his experience playing both defensive end positions, makes him a valuable depth piece for the organization. The 2025 season provides Kamara with another opportunity to showcase his skills and potentially earn a larger role within the defense.