In 1968, he registered the school's second longest pass play (88 yards) against the University of Texas at El Paso. In 1969, he was the team's leading rusher (534 yards) and had a school record 38 carries against Kansas University.

In 1970, the team led the nation averaging 350 rushing yards per game and he was the conference's leading rusher (961 yards with a 5.2 average). He set season school records in scoring (78 points), touchdowns (13) and received All-WAC honors.

He signed with the Los Angeles Rams as a free agent on September 2 1971. He was waived on September 16.

The Edmonton Eskimos signed him before the start of their training camp in 1972. He was limited physically during the season, after separating both shoulders in different incidents. He was waived on July 27, 1973.

In 1974, he signed with the Detroit Wheels of the World Football League, where he was the starter at running back and their leading rusher with 606 yards (4.4 average). The Wheels were the first WFL franchise to fold in 1974. The league held a dispersal draft for their players and he was selected by the Southern California Sun.

On June 20, 1975, the San Diego Chargers signed him to serve as a backup running back. He was waived on August 29, 1977.

In 1978, he was signed by the Oakland Raiders. He was released on August 16.

After supporting roles in Against All Odds (1984), Sam played arm Wrestler Harry Boscoe in the 1985 Sylvester Stallone film Over The Top. He has since appeared in small roles in many television shows and movies.