Prospect Spotlight: Sam Valor – Monticello (2021)

Looking at the Monticello Magic’s football roster going into the 2019 season, there were going to be some holes to fill. Many of the players who graduated were multi-year starters on a team that improved from one win in 2017 to five wins in 2018. 2019 could have been a rebuilding year, but thanks to guys like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="23729" first="Sam" last="Valor"]</strong>, the team was able to fill most of its holes and put up a very respectable season. The team finished with a 4-6 record. "We lost a lot of players from the previous year, especially on the line. We had a young line and a new quarterback – we had big shoes to fill," Valor said. "With what we had, we did well. We managed to get better every week and pull off an upset in the first round of the playoffs. I was happy with how the season turned out." The team used what could have been considered a weakness and used it as a strength. "We were a smaller team, but I think we were a fast team," Valor explained. "We were balanced on offense. We want to run the ball and pass off that with play-action, screens and bubbles." Valor was not lacking in the speed department. "My outside speed to hit the home runs, and my elusiveness are my strengths." The offensive formation dictated where Valor lined up. "I usually lined up at a wing. I would go in motion a lot. I would usually run a fake, a sweep, or a bubble screen. Sometimes we would run a three-back set where I would line up behind the quarterback." The two-way player rarely came off the field. "I start at free safety too," Valor said. "This year, I think I will be more of a strong safety or linebacker type. As a safety, my speed is my strength. I am a pass-first player. I didn’t match up man to man, but I would make sure I didn’t get beat over the top." When his senior year starts, it will be Valor’s fourth year contributing to the Magic’s varsity football team. "I played some varsity as a freshman. As a sophomore, I started all year at free safety and made some starts at running back. This year I started all year at running back, safety and as a kick returner." Size and being more physical are areas the 5’10" 200-pound senior has focused on this offseason. "I have been working on my blocking," the soon to be four-year varsity contributor said. "That has always been the weakest part of my game. I am getting bigger and stronger not only to be a better downhill runner but to be a better blocker." This offseason, Valor has put on twenty pounds to get him to the 200-pound mark. "I try to lift before school, and then I played basketball and ran track in the spring," the Magic’s three-sport athlete said. "You can tell, on the basketball court, that I am a football player. I am a role player; I play defense – I am not really a shooter, but I can slash and cut for some baskets. In track, I run the sprints, some relays, and the hurdles." The pandemic robbed Valor of the track season, but it has not changed much of his football preparation. "I have weights at home, and the track never closed," Valor told prepredzone.com. "I would lift at home or with one of my friends who has a weight rack. We would go to the track and do some footwork and running. I didn’t have to change much of my workouts." Covid-19 does not seem to have slowed down Valor’s recruitment much either. "I just talked to Drake – I would put them near the top of the schools I am interested in. Obviously, I have had to cancel some visits. I went to camp in Duluth last week, and have been in contact with schools from every level. DI has been limited to the Ivy League schools and the Pioneer League. DII has been the NSIC – Northern State, Duluth, Bemidji State, Southwest Minnesota State – I think I am going to go to a camp there in August – and most of the MIAC schools in DIII." "I am mostly being recruited as a running back," Valor continued, "but a few schools have talked to me about defensive back. Most of the schools like my speed, vision, and home run ability." After what should be – if it happens – a successful senior football season for Valor, like the 2019 Magic, once Valor gets on a college campus, he will again be a big reason why some program is able to fill holes they might have had before Valor steps on the field.