Sam Shaughnessy
Sam Shaughnessy
About Sam
Expert Analysis
Oliver West | Prep Redzone Scout
Well before the 2023 season concluded and the 2025 official rankings update got underway, I was hearing a lot of good things about Blaine’s game-breaking QB/ATH Sam Shaughnessy. The film backed up the hype, as Shaughnessy is excitingly dynamic and looks like the best athlete on the field in his junior film. With good size (6’1, 180 lbs.), the Bengal reports some high-quality athleticism that is seemingly reinforced by the tape, and for his efforts in 2023, he totaled 821 passing yards and 5 TDs through the air, 874 rushing yards, and 9 TDs on the ground, plus 1 INT, 1 FF, 10 tackles, and 2 PBUs defensively.
The top-end speed is noticeable and impressive from play #1 in his junior tape, as Shaughnessy can get up to top speed in the blink of an eye and brings so much pace to the table that he has multiple TD runs against 6A defenses where he finishes a TD run without being touched. The junior finds and sees space well, and he uses his speed to spread out defenses and create natural gaps and creases where there otherwise wouldn’t be. Once he tucks and takes off, Shaughnessy shows some effective shake and sets up defenders well in space and his power and quickness laterally can freeze defenders in their tracks as they attempt to break down and corral the speedster. Defensively, with his limited reps from 2023, I really like how he can change direction, see and predict route combinations, and take advantage of opponents in zone defense.
Shaughnessy reminds me a bit of former Chanhassen standout Alex Spillum, who went on to have a multi-time All-Conference career at safety for Coastal Carolina. Both Spillum and Shaughnessy just seem to be on another level of athleticism than the competition and make them look like they’re slogging through the mud while Shaughnessy has rocket boosters in his cleats. I also like the Blaine 2025er would make for a heckuva safety at the next level, or maybe a WR, but either way the dynamic ability is off the charts. Shaughnessy earned his first offer on the 13th as well, as MSU-Mankato pulled the trigger first. More are coming for one of the Rankings Update’s Top Newcomers.
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