Staying home: Top-ranked local football prospect heading to Sacramento State

Cameron Sampson’s football recruitment could be described as a roller coaster.

The recent graduate of Capital Christian High School committed to play football at the University of Nevada last summer but de-committed a month later. He then committed to Nevada again in January but because of classes he still needed to take that weren’t finished in time, he ended up not going to the Reno campus.

Months later, Sacramento State offered him a full-ride scholarship package at the start of June. He signed soon after that. With Sampson’s commitment to Sacramento State, he ties Folsom’s DeShawn Lynch from the 2020 class for the highest-ranked commitment in program history.

Both Lynch and Sampson were given 87 recruiting grades, according to 247Sports with Sampson getting the highest ranking in the Sacramento area’s 2022 class.

“Sac State feels like it’s the right choice for me,” Sampson said. “I feel comfortable with the decision I made.”

Sampson was recruited heavily as a cornerback at the next level but he will be playing a hybrid receiver/running back role at Sacramento State. Earlier in the recruiting cycle, Sacramento State landed a commitment from Elk Grove running back Zeke Burnett.

“I love the role because I like the ball in my hands,” Sampson said. “I’ll also be able to play with a couple of my old teammates.”

This story was originally published June 22, 2022 at 10:20 AM.