Sam Hartman Bio
Samuel Hartman is an American professional football quarterback for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played five seasons of college football for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, setting several school records and finishing as the all-time passing touchdowns leader in Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) history. He played with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in 2023 before signing with the Commanders as an undrafted free agent in 2024. Hartman brings a decorated collegiate career featuring multiple conference honors and record-setting passing statistics to the professional ranks.
Early Life and Background
Hartman was born on July 29, 1999, in Charlotte, North Carolina, to Mark Hartman. He grew up in Davidson, North Carolina, where he attended Davidson Day School. As a sophomore and junior, Hartman threw for 6,388 passing yards and 69 touchdowns while serving as team captain at quarterback. He earned first-team all-state honors as a junior and received the Charlotte Observer player of the week award four times during his tenure.
For his senior season, Hartman transferred to Oceanside Collegiate Academy in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. He led the team to a 7-3 record, throwing for 3,093 yards and 29 touchdowns while adding nine rushing scores. Hartman was rated the No. 12 pro-style passer in the class of 2018 by 247Sports.com and earned a three-star recruit rating. His high school performance earned him a spot in the documentary series QB1: Beyond the Lights.
Path to American Football
Hartman accepted a scholarship offer from Wake Forest University to play for the Demon Deacons under head coach Dave Clawson. He started the season opener against Tulane and became one of five freshman quarterbacks to start the season in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision that year. In his debut against Tulane, Hartman completed 31 of 51 passes for 378 yards and led the team to an overtime victory. He became the first freshman to start the season-opener as a quarterback in Wake Forest school history and led all freshmen nationally in yards of offense through the first three games.
Hartman earned ACC Conference rookie of the week honors following a performance against Rice in which he tied the school record for consecutive completions with 12. He led the team to a 4-4 record before suffering an injury against Syracuse that kept him out for the remainder of the season. After serving as a backup in 2019, Hartman regained the starting position in 2020 as a redshirt sophomore, being named team captain and playing in all nine games.
Sam Hartman Career
Wake Forest Years (2018-2022)
Hartman established himself as one of the most prolific quarterbacks in ACC history during his five seasons at Wake Forest. In 2021, he led the team to an 8-0 start, the best in school history, as the Demon Deacons reached the ACC Championship game. During a standout performance against Army, Hartman compiled a career-best 458 passing yards and five touchdowns. He earned multiple national honors that week, including Davey O’Brien National Quarterback of the Week and Maxwell Award Player of the Week. Hartman set several Wake Forest single-season records that year, including 39 touchdown passes and 4,228 passing yards.
In 2022, Hartman played 12 games and threw for 3,701 yards with 38 touchdowns, earning third-team All-ACC honors. He led the team to an 8-5 overall record and a victory in the Gasparilla Bowl, where he earned MVP honors for the second time in his career, making him the first player in school history to win two bowl MVP awards. Hartman was named the winner of the Brian Piccolo Award, presented to the most courageous player in the ACC, after suffering from Paget-Schroetter disease and undergoing surgery early in the season while only missing one game.
Notre Dame Season (2023)
On January 5, 2023, Hartman announced his intent to transfer to Notre Dame for his final season of collegiate eligibility. He made his debut for the Fighting Irish on August 26, 2023, in a game against Navy in Dublin, Ireland. Hartman completed 19 of 23 pass attempts for 251 yards and four touchdowns, tying a program record for touchdown passes in a player’s debut. Following the season, Hartman opted out of the Sun Bowl to begin preparing for the 2024 NFL Draft.
Washington Commanders Era (2024-Present)
Hartman signed with the Washington Commanders as an undrafted free agent in 2024. He was also selected by the Birmingham Stallions in the ninth round of the 2024 UFL Draft in July. Hartman was waived by the Commanders on August 27, 2024, and joined their practice squad the following day. He was promoted to the active roster on September 7, following an injury to backup Marcus Mariota. Hartman was released from the active roster on October 11 and signed with the practice squad the following day.
On January 28, 2025, Hartman signed a reserve/future contract with the Commanders. He was waived on August 26, 2025, and signed with their practice squad the following day. Hartman was promoted to the active roster on December 24, 2025, marking his return to the gameday roster.
Playing Style and Strengths
Hartman is known for his exceptional arm talent and ability to make throws from various platforms. His collegiate career demonstrated consistency and durability, particularly notable given his ability to play through injury. He displayed strong leadership qualities, serving as team captain at Wake Forest, and showed the ability to orchestrate comeback victories and lead high-scoring offenses. His experience playing in multiple offensive systems at Wake Forest and Notre Dame provides him with versatility and adaptability at the professional level.
Notable Achievements and Records
Hartman finished his time at Wake Forest as the record holder for career passing attempts, completions, yards, and touchdowns in school history. He holds the ACC record with 110 career passing touchdowns and accumulated 12,967 passing yards, ranking second in conference history and top 20 in FBS history. Hartman also set the ACC record with 21 career 300-yard passing games. He holds numerous single-season Wake Forest records including passing touchdowns, yards per game, total yards, total touchdowns, and passing yards.
Sam Hartman Career Statistics
Hartman’s collegiate career spans six seasons across two programs, accumulating impressive passing statistics highlighted by his record-setting tenure at Wake Forest.
Wake Forest Career Highlights
Across five seasons with the Demon Deacons, Hartman established himself as one of the most productive quarterbacks in ACC history. He earned Second-team All-ACC honors in 2021 and Third-team All-ACC honors in 2022. His 39 touchdown passes in 2021 remain a single-season school record. The Gasparilla Bowl MVP in 2022 marked his second bowl MVP honor, making him the first player in Wake Forest history to achieve that distinction.
Notre Dame Performance
Hartman’s lone season at Notre Dame saw him complete 19 of 23 passes for 251 yards and four touchdowns in his debut against Navy, demonstrating his ability to transition successfully to a new offensive system. His debut performance tied a program record for touchdown passes by a player in their first game.
Sam Hartman Family
Family Background
Hartman was born to Mark Hartman in Charlotte, North Carolina. His father has been a supportive figure throughout his football career. Hartman’s family has provided a stable foundation throughout his journey from high school standout to professional quarterback.
Personal Life
Hartman maintains a presence on social media under the handle @sam_hartman10. He attended Oceanside Collegiate Academy for his senior year of high school before pursuing his collegiate football career. His journey through multiple college programs and eventual path to the NFL showcases his determination and adaptability as a player and person.
2025 Season Performance
Hartman signed a reserve/future contract with the Washington Commanders in January 2025, indicating the team’s continued interest in his development as a quarterback. He was waived in August before returning to the practice squad, demonstrating the competitive nature of the roster. His promotion to the active roster on December 24, 2025, provided an opportunity to earn playing time late in the season. The Commanders’ coaching staff continues to evaluate Hartman as a potential long-term asset for the franchise, with his collegiate track record and professional experience positioning him for continued opportunities in the league.