2023 National Scouting Combine Featured Athlete Sam Cirksena, LB from West Liberty University

What gives you an advantage over other athletes at Linebacker?

 The biggest advantages that I have are my size/strength that allows me to be physical and my football IQ. Football is a physical sport so being able to throw your body around and be physical is a given, and my body allows me to do this with the best. Having a high Football IQ lets me know what the other team is trying to do and what I need to be looking for every play. 

What does being a student of a game mean to you?

Being a student of the game means everything to me. I have a high football IQ and this takes me a long way on game days. I had 15 TFLs this year and most of the time they come from knowing when and what the  other teams wants to run certain run concepts. All the film that goes into this and knowing what a team is trying to do helped me become the caliber of player that I am. 

How would you describe your work ethic?

I’m from Iowa and both of my parents were raised on farms so I would describe my work ethic as blue collar. I have done physical labor my whole life and you learn so much from that. When you have two parents that work as hard as mine do, it’s hard to see that and not be hard working as well. My work ethic is my number one attribute that’s made me the player I am. 

What do you hope to show people at the combine?

I hope to show people how good of a athlete I really am and how overlooked I am. I wanna show how well I can really play ball and that I am good enough to play with the best of the best. 

If you had the opportunity to play another sport professionally, what sport would you choose?

 If I could play any other sport professionally I would play baseball. I’ve always loved baseball and I think the opportunity to be a relief pitcher and feel the rush of coming in to close the game out in the 9th would be such a rush. 

What was your Major?

My major was exercise science and I’m getting my masters in Education with a focus on coaching and leadership.  

Who is or has been the most influential person in your life?

 The most influential person in my life has been my dad. My dad works harder than anybody I know and this is where I get my work ethic from. My love for football comes from him and watching football with him my whole life growing up.

What do you consider to be one of the more important things you learned from the coaching staff?

One of the most important things I learned from my coaching staff at West Liberty was how to truly dissect a offense and attack what they are trying to do. I played under defensive coordinator Jeff Monteroso and I have never met anyone that knows more about the game than him. He was a huge part of me becoming the player that I have. 

What would you consider to be your biggest accomplishment in your sports career so far?

My biggest accomplishment would overcoming them foot injury I had my junior year and being able to come back this year and have the year I had.