In this edition of Diamond In The Rough, I’ll be highlighting 4-star quarterback Sammy LeBlanc from Teurlings Catholic. Outside of football, Sammy is a shortstop on the diamond who maintains a 3.0 GPA along with scoring a 22 on the ACT. In the weight room, he has maxes of 200lb on the bench, 270lbs squatting and a clean of 205lbs. Despite his 6ft and 175lb frame, he plays tall on the field. His fearlessness and toughness are his greatest attributes as a player. From film, you can tell he has a good grasp of the offense. He locates his primary read well and gets the ball out on time and on target. Sammy is calm in the pocket and will stand in and make throws under pressure. He has no problem throwing balls into tight windows and displays good ball placement. Although he is primarily a pocket passer, Sammy has enough running ability to make defenses respect his legs. As a person, Sammy is very sociable and has a friendly draw to him. He’s the type of guy who can hold a conversation with anyone and make them comfortable. To learn more about Sammy as a player and person, check out the interview below.
How did you first start playing football?
- I was around the game my whole life. I first started flag football when I was 7, but I’ll always remember watching football with my Dad and my Uncle when I was younger. They said my first words as a baby were “Go Deuce” for Deuce McAllister from the Saints.
Why do you still play football?
- Just the challenge. Especially with the position I play it’s like a big chest game. It requires a lot of thinking and working with my coaches. Just going through film and talking about how we’re going beat this and how we’re going to beat that. I love the competitive nature of it.
What do you think is more important to you, the mental or physical aspect of football?
- I’d say mental because you can get away with a lack of physicality by being smart and being in the right place in the right time with good technique. Like if you’re a 160lb defender you can tackle a 225lb running back with the correct technique.
What’s the hardest part about playing quarterback?
- The whole game is on you. Win or lose it’s on you. If you throw 3 picks, the whole fan base blames you for a loss. However, if you go out and throw 4 touchdowns your praised for it. Just dealing with the fans and other external pressures are the toughest thing.
What has football taught you?
- To be competitive. In life, nothing is going to be handed to you. Someone is always going to be coming after you. Someone is always going to be there to have to compete and fight with. It also taught me to be tough and stay strong. Even when your going through adversity, you have to stay strong and push through.
Three words to describe yourself?
- Intense, Competitive, Hard-working
How do you prepare for an upcoming game?
- Watch a lot of film and meet with my coach. See what we plan on running Friday and see if we’re making any changes based on the opponents defensive scheme. When I get out to practice I just soak up all I can. I scout what the defense is doing and what their plan of attack is. On Wednesday practice I try to be perfect because what you do on Wednesday will carry on to how you play on Friday. When I’m watching film, I’m looking to identify what defense they run. Then I try to find their weakest defensive back so I know who to challenge on game day.
What’s the most frustrating thing about play quarterback?
- When it’s not your day it’s not your day. They’ll be days you go out and throw multiply picks, but you have to keep battling. Sometime your off and sometimes your on and you have to push through it regardless.
Who or what has influenced you the most in your life?
- I’d say my parents. They taught me how to work hard. They’re the hardest working people I know. They really work hard and taught me that you have to earn everything. You can’t be spoiled or entitled, you have to work for everything you have.
What do you plan to major in once your in college?
- Business and Marketing. I like to think I’m a businessman/ sales type person. I can go out and get what I want from someone. I can really persuade them. Its part of my personality and that’s what my parents do too.
Who is your favorite NFL player?
- Drew Brees. He’s like me in the fact that we’re both undersized, but that doesn’t bother us. We just go out and play. We put the ball where it’s supposed to be and we don’t listen to the hype. I would also say Baker Mayfield. I like the swagger and intensity he plays with it.
How would you describe your own style of play?
- I would say I’m a pocket passer with a athletic side. I make sure my reads are right and I play crisp. So i’m not going to come out and run all over you, but I can make plays out the pocket. I’m crisp with my reads and will throw the ball to the right man.
When your under center what goes through your head pre-snap?
- Well I’m taking a mental picture pre-snap of what the defense is showing me. If the linebackers are creeping up, I’ll know a blitz is coming and call it out. I just form an idea of what they’re about to do before the play. It helps me make the best decision possible.
How is it living with your siblings?
- I have two little sisters. I can’t beat up on them like I could with a brother but they’re fun. They’re like my best friends. Sometimes after games I’ll come back home and my little sister will talk about how I threw picks. I still get grilled about how I play by my little sister.
What’s something no one knows about you?
- I’d say that I’m the happiest person alive. I’ve heard from other people that I always look mad. I guess that’s just a game face I always have on. I’m really the nicest person ever.
What’s your favorite subject in the classroom?
- I’d say history. I love learning about everything that happen and about the wars. I mean we can learn about a lot from people from the past, especially the World War 2 generation—the greatest generation. My generation has a a lot to learn from that generation. Mainly about their toughness and their grit.
Whats you goals for the upcoming season?
- Be the best quarterback in the district and the state. Be the best leader for the team I can be. Be that guy that everybody rallies around and wants to play for.
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