Howard Sampson OT Texas Tech |
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| Jersey: #79 SUB-POSITION: Left Tackle | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 11/02/2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2027 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FORTY time: 5.28 seconds (46%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Jersey: #79 | |
| SUB-POSITION: Left Tackle | |
| Last Updated: 11/02/2026 | |
| Draft Year: 2027 | |
| Forty time: 5.28 seconds (46%*) | |
| Overall Rating: |
75.0 / 100
|
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|---|---|---|
| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
|
77% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Pass Blocking: |
|
74% |
| Run Blocking: |
|
74% |
|
DRAFT PROJECTION:
UDFA
Overall Rank:
#403
Position rank:
#57 (OL)
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| College Games: 38 College Snaps: 2378 | ||
| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Amari Kight - UCF |
|
95% |
| Xavier Truss - Georgia |
|
94% |
| Walker Little - Stanford |
|
91% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Howard Sampson was a second-team all-district pick at Humble High School in Texas and a three-star recruit, choosing North Texas over Grambling, Texas Southern and Texas State in the 2022 class.He played in four games over two seasons at North Texas, then transferred to North Carolina, where he started 12 games at left tackle in 2024 and was an honorable mention All-ACC pick. Sampson moved to Texas Tech for 2025, started all 14 games at left tackle and was named third-team All-Big 12 by the coaches, but penalties were a problem in both seasons.
Sampson announced in January 2026 that he would return to Lubbock for one more season. He has started every game at left tackle, was named to the Outland watch list and has allowed two pressures and one penalty in eight games. He announced his return with a simple message: the job was not done.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Has allowed two pressures in eight starts at left tackle
- Experienced starter with more than 30 starts at two Power Four programs
- Penalties are down sharply, with one flag after double figures in both 2024 and 2025
- Big frame that is hard to bull rush
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Gave up four sacks in 2025 and five in 2024
- Average foot speed for the left side against wide rushers
- Less reliable as a run blocker than as a pass protector
- Needed three schools to find a starting role
- Turns pro as an older prospect after five college seasons
Scouting Report: Summary
Sampson has turned his final season into his best. He has been very hard to beat at left tackle, allowing two pressures in eight games, and he has cleaned up the penalties that hurt him at North Carolina and in 2025.However, his earlier tape is less steady, with nine sacks allowed over the previous two seasons. His feet are only average for a blind-side tackle, and he is less reliable as a run blocker.
Overall, Sampson is an experienced left tackle whose recent improvement is real. He projects as a priority free agent who could hold a backup tackle spot.
How other scouting services rate Howard Sampson (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
349.5
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
64.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.