UMD’s Sam Pitz Catching Eye of NFL Scouts

Led Bulldogs with 9 receiving touchdowns in 2023

DULUTH, Minn.- UMD’s Sam Pitz is entering his final eligible season of college football, but his career on the gridiron may only be getting started.

The tight end from Appleton is getting attention from NFL scouts, who have been visiting UMD practices as the Bulldogs prepare for the regular season. In addition, Pitz has been named to the D2 Football Elite 100 and the Shrine Bowl 1000, both of which highlight college players with the potential to play professional football.

“Feels super cool,” Smiled Pitz, who led UMD with nine receiving touchdowns in 2023. “I mean, obviously, coming up through high school and through college, you never really think that’s an opportunity you’re going to have, but it kind of feels surreal, to be honest with you. Just going to try to make the most of it this year and hopefully make something out of that.”

Meanwhile, pro teams weren’t the only ones interested in Pitz’s services. There were reports that Division I college teams were hoping Pitz would enter the transfer portal, thus leaving UMD. However, the graduate student says he had no plans of leaving Duluth.

“I was mainly just planning on coming back. Really, really love what we got going here,” says Pitz, who will once again catch passes from second-team all-NSIC quarterback Kyle Walljasper. “I think we have a special group coming back, huge opportunity to make a run in the conference and hopefully the national playoffs.”

Pitz and the Bulldogs will open the regular season on Thursday, August 29 against Northern Michigan.