Dec. 18, 2008

Football: Offensive Lineman Brad Samsa Named AFCA All-American

    Waco, Texas – Youngstown State senior offensive lineman Brad Samsa (Warren, Ohio/Howland) was named to the American Football Coaches Association All-American team, the organization announced on Thursday. Samsa is the second offensive lineman and third Penguin to be named to the AFCA team since 2001.

    Samsa had a stellar career for YSU starting at center, guard and tackle during his tenure. Overall, he started the final 38 games in his career. In 2008, he started nine times at center before moving to right guard for the last three contests.
    In 2008, he played a team-high 751 snaps on the offensive line. For the season he graded out at 81 percent. He earned a grade of 83 percent or higher in five of the last six contests.  The Penguins averaged 166 yards rushing and 170 yards passing.

    He was named first-team all-conference in 2008 and 2007 while earning second-team accolades in 2006. Samsa was also a two-time Academic All-Conference Honorable-Mention selection.
    It is the second consecutive year Samsa has earned All-America honors. He was an honorable-mention pick by The Sports Network in 2007.

    He joins offensive tackle Pat Crummey (2001) and tailback Marcus Mason (2006) as YSU's AFCA All-Americans in the past eight seasons.

    Samsa was also named third-team Associated Press All-American late Wednesday, the organization announced.