9/30/22
Five-star WR Shelton Sampson Jr. is game's best player in interstate showdown
Five-star Baton Rouge (La.) Catholic WR Shelton Sampson Jr. went down as the game’s most impactful player coming up with two touchdowns and even more critical first-down receptions, including the game-sealing catch on third-and-long after Carver made it a one-score game in the final minutes. The 6-foot-4, 190-pound Sampson’s 4.3 speed was on display beating coverage on the perimeter and down the seams, and in the process drew three pass-interference calls. Sampson was sharp firing back to the football amid press coverage on the outside and used his frame and length to overcome multiple defenders in coverage. He showed great range on throws downfield and on end-zone fades, and was up to the task when pressed on a goal-line slant. He finished the game with eight receptions and 126 yards, including two red-zone touchdowns, chain-moving catches on several third-and-longs and a one-handed grab on a go-route with a hand in the face to seal the win. Sampson showed so many different angles of what makes him a future high draft pick. As an underclassman, he averaged 20 yards per catch. As a senior with more volume, the five-star LSU commit is averaging north of 108 yards per game and about 14 yards per catch. On the season, Sampson has 548 yards and 8 touchdowns and is inching closer to even more records at Catholic High.