The Liberty senior safety also is betting on the results he has seen in the University of Arizona program where several preferred walk ons, including two defensive …
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The Liberty senior safety also is betting on the results he has seen in the University of Arizona program where several preferred walk ons, including two defensive backs for West Valley high schools, received a chance to play and earned a scholarship in short order.
Stam, like many other athletes in the Class of 2022, received less high major Division I opportunities because of an unprecedented number of players in the transfer portal, plus extra college eligibility for players who played in 2020. He announced Tuesday that he is accepting the Wildcats preferred walk-on offer and believes he will prove he belongs.
"Yes it is a PWO. But after a talk with coach Fisch he really explained where I sat on their board, and how the transfer portal may have cost me a scholarship. But he has much confidence that I will earn one once I hit campus.," Stam stated in a Twitter interview.
He said seeing Stukes and Young receives scholarships gives him confidence that if he outworks anyone that he will be given an opportunity to perform.
Also, Stam has rooted for Arizona since his childhood.
"The entire staff has a lot of experience. I also have grown up Wildcat fans my whole life with my aunt being an alum," Stam stated.
Stam is the West Valley Preps 2021 defensive player of the year and a three-time all West Valley Preps first team safety.
He led the Lions to two straight appearances in the Open Division semifinals and played a key role on the 2019 6A Conference champions.
Stam had 107 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, plus three fumbles caused and two fumbles recovered as a senior.
During the football season, he was leaning toward an offer from Army. But he decided to stay closer to home.
"The family like atmosphere and being far enough where the college lifestyle is still there. But close enough where my family can watch me play," Stam stated.
Stam said he wants to study economics or finance, since his father, Jason, is a financial planner.
He is the second Liberty senior in less than a week to find a Division I football home after a long and sometimes difficult recruiting process.
Offensive guard Braden Croteau committed to Idaho State University on Jan. 30. He started at defensive tackle as a junior and moved to the offensive line as a senior, though not for recruiting purposes.
A door opened when Idaho State hired Charlie Ragle as head coach. Ragle had been the California-Berkley special teams coordinator and lead recruiter for Croteau's older brother, Braxten, as well as many other players from Arizona.
"There was a need for us on the o-line and he was the captain that he is and made the move that was best for the team. Unlimately for recruiting purposes as well, as he projected for the offensive line," Liberty coach Colin Thomas stated in a text. "The circumstances worked out great in that Coach Ragle knew he was getting a hard-working, intelligent football player that can help him change the culture at Idaho State."
Thomas said he is thrilled for both young men and has no doubt Stam will earn his way on the field and into a scholarship in Tucson.
Stam started every game of his Liberty career, from his first month on campus.
"He has proven how much of a winner he is and the greater competition, the more he raises his game! He has carried that chip on his shoulder for a long time and will carry that with him to U of A and find a way to be successful," Thomas stated. "U of A is getting an elite human being. He will be one of the smartest, toughest players on that roster! His desire to be great is remarkable."
Richard Smith Associate Editor | Surprise & West Valley Preps @rsmithYWV
Richard Smith has been with Independent Newsmedia since 2016, and worked at a Sun City-based news outfit covering the Northwest Valley for 22 consecutive years.
An NAU alum and lifelong Arizona resident, Richard began as a copy editor and page designer at Surprise Today and the Daily News-Sun, then rekindled his love of sports writing by taking the reins on West Valley Preps in 2008.
For most of the mid-2010s he was the Surprise editor and West Valley Preps reporter. Now he’s the West Valley Preps Editor and Surprise Associate Editor.
As COVID restrictions slowly lift, Richard is cautiously optimistic he will visit book stores, football fields and gyms again this fall.
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