Wisconsin football 2020 returnee profile: Cormac Sampson

During the summer doldrums of sports news, many college football fans are starved for news and information regarding their favorite teams.

With that in mind, we at B5Q have decided to take a more detailed look at each walk-on contributor and scholarship player on the Wisconsin Badgers football roster for 2020 in a running feature, our 2020 returnee profiles.

Each weekday we will breakdown one player on the football roster to look back at their recruiting process, their career as a Badger to this juncture and lastly preview their potential contribution to the team in 2020 and beyond.

Today is Cormac Sampson day.

Photo by James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Name: Cormac Sampson

Position: interior offensive lineman

2020 eligibility: redshirt sophomore

Recruiting info out of HS: 247 composite 3-star, No. 37 WDE, Eau Claire

2018 recruitment: One of only a handful of in-state prospects that were invited to a May junior day for the 2018 recruiting class, Cormac Sampson decided to commit to the Badgers the day after earning his offer. He was recruited as an athlete, and chose Wisconsin over other offers from Northern Illinois and New Mexico, as well as a whole host of FCS schools. While he was ranked as a 3-star player according to the 247Sports composite, he was seen as a 4-star prospect according to 247Sports rankings based on his upside.

Career statistics: 13 games played, two starts at tight end

2019 statistics: 13 games played, two starts at tight end

Player overview: The talented jumbo athlete was viewed as a potential fit out of high school for either the defensive line, tight end or offensive line depending on how his body filled out. After a redshirt season working primarily along the offensive line, Sampson was thrust into playing time as a redshirt freshman as an in-line blocking tight end due to injuries at the position.

Overall, the 6-foot-4 blocker played fairly well, and was utilized in run blocking situations frequently. However, with an influx of younger tight ends now on campus, and better health at the position, Sampson has returned to the offensive line where he will compete for playing time come fall.

Best case scenario for 2020: After gaining on-field experience last year, Cormac Sampson will be vying for an interior offensive line spot this fall. While there are plenty of great options for those roles, Sampson should see time on the field in 2020 within the two-deep. He will be working at center and guard, and could be a player to watch if Kayden Lyles is not entirely healthy at the start of fall camp.

Sampson using his playing time last year as a springboard is not out of the question, as he definitely earned the trust of the staff last year.

Likely role on team in 2020: No matter how the actual starting spots shake out along the offensive line, Sampson is a player that should be at least a primary backup. He has a good athleticism and the ability to move make him a solid candidate along the interior.

I think Sampson earns valuable reps along the offensive line in 2020 in a reserve capacity while he continues to add weight and strength to his frame. He is definitely a player to keep an eye on though if injuries occur, or if he takes a nice leap given his blend of size and athleticism for either center or a guard position.