Sammy Seamster – Dark Horse Roster Candidate

Dec 30, 2013; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Navy Midshipmen running back DeBrandon Sanders (21) runs for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the game against Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders cornerback Sammy Seamster (8) at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

One position that remains unsettled on the Raven’s depth chart is cornerback.  We know only one thing for certain, and that is Ladarius Webb and Jimmy Smith are the top two.  Outside of that, the competition is wide open.  The Ravens brought in a ton of competition during minicamp and made a couple of veteran signings, which makes it quite obvious they are not satisfied with the state of the group.

While everyone is busy talking about Aaron Ross, Dominique Franks, Asa Jackson, and Chykie Brown, there is another dark horse candidate emerging at the nickel – Sammy Seamster.  The undrafted free agent has quietly moved his name into the discussion at cornerback despite an underwhelming college career.

Seamster was a prized high school recruit that didn’t find much success in college, yet has the size and speed that NFL teams covet in the modern day NFL.

Seamster was a prized high school recruit that didn’t find much success in college, yet has the size and speed that NFL teams covet in the modern day NFL.  He is built like a press corner at 6′ 205 pounds and runs an impressive sub 4.5 second 40.

John Harbaugh praised Seamster in camp along with fellow undrafted rookies Ayodeji Olatoye and Tramain Jacobs.  “They have long arms, they have pretty good hips, good feet, all of them have good ball skills,” Harbaugh said. “I think our scouts did a really good job of finding those guys.”

A reported 20 teams contacted Seamster’s agent after the draft, showing that he is indeed a hot commodity despite only starting 10 out of 44 games at Middle Tennessee State.  His first start didn’t come until his senior season.  But coaches view him as a bit of a late bloomer, and for good reason.

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Seamster didn’t even play football until his freshman year in high school.  Couple that with his lack of starting experience in college, and it’s safe to assume that he still has some untapped potential.  While the Ravens are sure to keep at least one veteran on the roster who will most likely win the 3rd cornerback slot, it pays to keep young guys with upside as depth.  And Seamster has about as much upside as anybody on the roster right now.

Do you think that Sammy Seamster will carve out a role on defense this season?