Sam Hartman Bio
Samuel Hartman, known professionally as Sam Hartman, is an American professional football quarterback for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). Born on July 29, 1999, in Charlotte, North Carolina, Hartman rose to national attention during a five-season college career with the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, where he set multiple school records and finished as the all-time leader in passing touchdowns in Atlantic Coast Conference history. He later spent one season with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in 2023 before joining the Commanders as an undrafted free agent in 2024.
Hartman is widely regarded as one of the most productive passers in ACC history and has been recognized for both his statistical output and his resilience. He earned the Brian Piccolo Award in 2022 for his courageous return from Paget-Schroetter disease, a vascular condition that required surgery early in the season.
Early Life and Background
Hartman was born on July 29, 1999, in Charlotte, North Carolina, to Mark Hartman. He grew up in the Charlotte area and attended Davidson Day School in Davidson, North Carolina, where he developed into one of the state’s top high school quarterbacks. As a sophomore and junior, Hartman served as a team captain and threw for 6,388 passing yards and 69 touchdowns, earning first-team all-state honors as a junior and receiving the Charlotte Observer player of the week award four times.
For his senior season, Hartman transferred to Oceanside Collegiate Academy in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. He led the program to a 7-3 record while throwing for 3,093 yards and 29 touchdowns and adding nine rushing scores. Rated the No. 12 pro-style passer in the class of 2018 by 247Sports.com, Hartman was a three-star recruit and was featured in the documentary series QB1: Beyond the Lights, which chronicled his senior year.
Path to American Football
Hartman accepted a scholarship offer from Wake Forest University to play for the Demon Deacons, beginning a college career that would eventually place him among the most accomplished passers in conference history. He stepped into the starting role immediately as a freshman in 2018, becoming the first freshman in school history to start a season opener at quarterback. Through his first three games, he led all freshmen nationally in yards of offense and was named ACC Conference Rookie of the Week after tying the school record for consecutive completions with 12 against Rice.
An injury against Syracuse cut short his freshman campaign, but Hartman returned healthy and used the experience as a foundation for the years ahead. He earned team captain honors, broke school passing records, and continued to develop the deep passing accuracy and offensive command that would later define his professional profile.
Sam Hartman Career
Early Career (2018-2020)
Hartman’s first season at Wake Forest in 2018 ended after eight games due to injury, but he had already established himself as the program’s quarterback of the future. He appeared in only four games as a redshirt sophomore in 2019 behind Jamie Newman, but he made the most of his limited opportunities, leading three consecutive scoring drives against Louisville and then guiding Wake Forest to a 22-20 upset victory over Florida State in his next start.
In 2020, Hartman reclaimed the starting role and served as team captain while playing all nine games of the pandemic-shortened season. He compiled 429 passing yards and four touchdowns against North Carolina and finished the year ranked 28th nationally with 2,224 passing yards. The NCAA’s decision not to count the 2020-21 school year against eligibility preserved his college timeline.
Wake Forest Breakthrough (2021-2022)
In 2021, Hartman led Wake Forest to its best start in school history at 8-0 and piloted the program to the ACC Championship Game, where the Demon Deacons fell to Pittsburgh 45-21. He earned national weekly honors following a career-best performance against Army, throwing for 458 yards and five touchdowns while collecting Davey O’Brien National Quarterback of the Week, PFN National Offensive Player of the Week, Maxwell Award Player of the Week, and CFPA National Performer of the Week recognition. He set single-season school records with 39 touchdown passes and 4,228 passing yards.
Hartman played 12 games in 2022 and threw for 3,701 yards and 38 touchdowns, earning second-team All-ACC honors. He guided Wake Forest to an 8-5 record and a Gasparilla Bowl victory, earning bowl MVP honors and becoming the first player in school history to win two bowl MVP awards. He was also named the winner of the Brian Piccolo Award as the most courageous player in the ACC after playing through Paget-Schroetter disease and missing only one game following surgery.
Notre Dame (2023)
On January 5, 2023, Hartman announced his intent to transfer to Notre Dame. He made his debut for the Fighting Irish on August 26, 2023, against Navy in Dublin, Ireland, completing 19 of 23 passes for 251 yards and four touchdowns. That performance tied a Notre Dame program record for touchdown passes in a player’s debut. Following the season, Hartman opted out of the Sun Bowl in order 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. The Commanders waived Hartman on August 27, 2024, and he joined their practice squad the following day. He was promoted to the active roster on September 7 following an injury to backup Marcus Mariota, then released on October 11 and signed back to the practice squad the next day.
On January 28, 2025, Hartman signed a reserve/future contract with the Commanders, securing his place with the organization into the next league year. He was waived again on August 26, 2025, and signed with the practice squad the following day, continuing his development within the Washington system.
Driving Style and Strengths
Hartman is recognized for his strong arm, accuracy on intermediate and deep throws, and ability to read defenses at a high tempo. His five years of college starting experience, including 21 career 300-yard passing games, reflect his efficiency and consistency. He has shown the durability and leadership required to manage a pro-style offense, and his command of the passing game made him a reliable practice squad option for Washington.
Notable Events and Milestones
Hartman finished his Wake Forest career as the program’s all-time leader in passing attempts, completions, yards, and touchdowns. He holds the ACC career record with 110 touchdown passes and ranks second in conference history with 12,967 passing yards, placing him among the top 25 passers in FBS history. His four-touchdown debut at Notre Dame in Dublin remains one of the signature moments of his college career.
Sam Hartman Career Wins
Hartman’s career win log is anchored by his record-setting years at Wake Forest and his senior-year leadership at Oceanside Collegiate Academy. While individual game-by-game results are not fully itemized in available sources, his team outcomes, statistical milestones, and postseason honors collectively define his resume as a winner at every level.
Wake Forest Highlights
Hartman’s most decorated stretch came at Wake Forest, where he led the program to the 2021 ACC Championship Game and a 2022 Gasparilla Bowl victory. He earned second-team All-ACC recognition in 2022 and was a finalist for the Manning Award and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, as well as a semifinalist for the Davey O’Brien Award. He also won the Brian Piccolo Award in 2022.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his college achievements, Hartman added a 2022 Gasparilla Bowl MVP and a Wake Forest MVP honor from an earlier bowl, becoming the first player in school history to win two bowl MVPs. His professional career is still developing, but his postseason pedigree and consistent statistical production remain his calling cards.
Sam Hartman Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Hartman is the son of Mark Hartman, who has been referenced throughout his early football coverage as a supportive presence during his development. The family is rooted in the Charlotte, North Carolina area, where Sam attended Davidson Day School before transferring for his senior season.
Personal Life
Hartman focuses much of his public profile on football, and detailed information about his personal relationships is limited. He is not publicly known to be married, and no verified information about a spouse or children is available from reliable sources.
2025 Season Performance
Hartman signed a reserve/future contract with the Washington Commanders on January 28, 2025, keeping him in the organization beyond the 2024 league year. He continued to develop within the Commanders’ offensive system as a practice squad contributor, working behind a quarterback room led by veterans including Marcus Mariota. His role with Washington entering 2025 reflects a long-term developmental path rather than an immediate starting opportunity.
On August 26, 2025, Hartman was waived by the Commanders and signed back to the practice squad the following day, a common sequence for quarterbacks being preserved on NFL developmental rosters. The arrangement allows Washington to retain his rights while he continues to refine his pro-level mechanics and playbook familiarity.
Looking ahead, Hartman’s 2025 outlook centers on steady improvement, potential practice squad elevation opportunities, and the chance to compete for an active roster spot during the season. His proven college production, leadership record, and durability give him a credible path toward a longer NFL career if he continues his development in Washington.