Sam Fenton has achieved a historic milestone as the first British quarterback to play for a Division One team in US collegiate football.
This summer, 21-year-old Sam Fenton marked a significant achievement, becoming the first British athlete to join a Division One college team in the United States as a quarterback.
Considering he commenced playing American football just seven years ago, his ascent to the elite echelon of US college athletics is particularly noteworthy.
Fenton’s initial exposure to American football came through a docuseries, an experience that left him feeling the sport “didn’t seem real.”
Nonetheless, the London native’s curiosity was piqued, leading him to embrace a sport that has now become integral to his pursuit of a professional career in America.
Having navigated the challenges of leaving home, Fenton faces an even greater test: refining his skills, securing a starting position at the University of South Florida (USF), and making a sufficient impression during his college tenure to be drafted by an NFL team.
“I believe this is the most demanding position in sports,” Fenton shared with BBC Sport.
“The pressure is what drives me. Victory brings acclaim, while defeat often leads to blame, as the quarterback is perceived as the central figure.”
Peyton Manning, former quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos, boasts two Super Bowl victories and holds the record for the most NFL Most Valuable Player awards, with five.
The quarterback occupies a pivotal role within an American football team. Nearly every offensive play, save for kicking and punting, is executed through them.
They serve as the creative core, evident in the fact that quarterbacks have claimed 17 of the past 20 Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards—honoring the NFL’s top player each season.
Moreover, quarterbacks have been recognized as Super Bowl MVP in 14 of the past 20 championship games.
Two-time Super Bowl champion Peyton Manning emphasized the quarterback’s challenging nature, stating that “you have to know everyone else’s job just as well as your own.”
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“Whether you win or lose, you’ll be in the spotlight. Credit is given in victory, blame is assigned in defeat,” the five-time NFL MVP noted in the Netflix documentary Quarterback, external.
“Upon finishing high school and college, one might expect the end of homework. However, for a quarterback, the learning never stops. It’s essential to grasp not only your responsibilities but also the assignments of 10 other players.”
Fenton’s initial awareness of his throwing ability stemmed from his long throws as a goalkeeper.
This is a concept Fenton has become familiar with at USF.
As a member of the South Florida Bulls roster, the freshman’s daily schedule extends from 5 am to 10 pm, accommodating training, classes, and study.
The most promising college players will earn the opportunity to compete at the highest level in the NFL through the draft, although this is not yet Fenton’s primary focus as he embarks on his journey at USF.
He stated: “It’s crucial to have a passion for the game and dedicate time to it when no one is observing. This involves studying film and playbooks to ensure flawless execution on the field, allowing the game to be processed at high speed.”
Fenton, who stands at 6ft 6in (198cm) tall, honed his skills as a goalkeeper in the youth divisions of the Metropolitan Police in Surrey and played tennis in Surbiton.
A pivotal element of his football prowess involved launching the ball beyond the halfway line to initiate swift counter-attacks for his teammates, rendering the transition to quarterback a natural progression.
He initially played for Cobham Cougars in Surrey before joining the NFL Academy, a UK-based initiative established by the NFL to identify and cultivate top talent in Europe and Africa.
Numerous academy alumni have gone on to play for collegiate Division One teams, including 27 this season, but none have previously played quarterback.
Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers secured victory in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium in 2021.
Fenton faces stiff competition at South Florida, with senior quarterback Byrum Brown, graduate Gaston Moore, who joined from Tennessee this summer, and fellow freshman Locklan Hewlett all vying for the position.
The Bulls compete at Raymond James Stadium, the venue that hosted Super Bowl LV—where Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated Patrick Mahomes’ Kansas City Chiefs to claim the Vince Lombardi Trophy on their home turf four years ago.
Fenton hopes to have the opportunity to play for the Bulls at the renowned stadium in the near future, but he remains focused on continuous improvement and learning.
“At present, my priority is to remain grounded and develop as a player,” he added.
“Making the transition here has been a significant step, and the learning curve has been steep as I strive to absorb everything the coaches are imparting.
“My aim is to cultivate an elite approach, taking each day as it comes and observing what the future holds.”