{{Short description|American football player (born 1997)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}} {{Infobox NFL biography | name = Sam Sloman | image = Sam Sloman January 3 2021.jpg | upright =.8 | caption = Sloman with the Tennessee Titans in 2021 | current_team = | number = 1, 2 | position = Placekicker | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1997|9|19}} | birth_place = Roswell, Georgia, U.S. | height_ft = 5 | height_in = 8 | weight_lb = 205 | high_school = Pace Academy {{avoid wrap|(Atlanta, Georgia)}} | college = Miami (OH) (2016–2019) | draftyear = 2020 | draftround = 7 | draftpick = 248 | pastteams = * Los Angeles Rams ({{NFL Year|2020}}) * Tennessee Titans ({{NFL Year|2020}}) * Pittsburgh Steelers ({{NFL Year|2021|2022}})* * San Francisco 49ers ({{NFL Year|2022}})* * Vegas Vipers ({{XFL Year|2023}}) | highlights = * Second-team All-MAC (2019) | statlabel1 = Field goals | statvalue1 = 10 | statlabel2 = Field goal attempts | statvalue2 = 13 | statlabel3 = Longest field goal | statvalue3 = 47 | pfr = S/SlomSa00 }}
'''Samuel Cole Sloman'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sam Sloman Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SlomSa00.htm |access-date=2025-07-14 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> (born September 19, 1997) is an American former professional football player who was a placekicker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Miami RedHawks, and in 2019, he made 86.7% of his field goal attempts (leading all kickers in the nation). Sloman was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL draft. He was also a member of the Tennessee Titans, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers, and Vegas Vipers.
==Early life== Sloman was born to Jay and Judi Sloman on September 19, 1997, in Roswell, Georgia.<ref name="auto">[https://miamiredhawks.com/sports/football/roster/sam-sloman/5819 "2019 Football Roster; Sam Sloman,"] Miami Redhawks.</ref>
In high school, Sloman attended Pace Academy in the Buckhead area of Atlanta, Georgia.<ref name="auto" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=April 28, 2020 |title=Pace Academy Alumnus Samuel Sloman Joins Los Angeles Rams |url=https://www.paceacademy.org/knightlights/~board/knightlights/post/pace-academy-alumnus-samuel-sloman-joins-los-angeles-rams-1588099265398 |access-date=May 18, 2023 |website=Pace Academy}}</ref> He earned two letters in football, and four letters in soccer.<ref name="auto" /> Sloman did not start playing football until his junior year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sam Sloman (K): Bio, News, Stats & more |url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/team/players-roster/sam-sloman/ |website=Tennessee Titans}}</ref> As a senior, Sloman connected on 20-of-23 kicks, with a long of 53 yards, and also made all 51 extra points.<ref name="auto" /> He was a two-time All-State kicker, and a 2015 MaxPreps First Team All-American.<ref name="auto" />
==College career== Sloman attended Miami University in Ohio, majoring in kinesiology.<ref name="auto" /> During his career with the Miami Redhawks football team, Sloman completed 49-of-62 field goal attempts for 79%.<ref name="auto2">{{Cite web |last=Schmetzer |first=Mark |date=April 27, 2020 |title=Sloman first Miami kicker to be drafted |url=https://www.journal-news.com/sports/sloman-first-miami-kicker-drafted/NKKsKB2n2LAqAw5H5d58vO/ |website=Journal-News}}</ref> On extra point attempts, he made 112-for-115 for 97.4%. As a senior in 2019, Sloman made 86.7% of his field goal attempts (leading his conference and all kickers in the country with 30 or more attempts), went 11-for-14 from beyond 40 yards, and was 4-for-5 on field goal attempts longer than 50 yards (with a long of 53 yards).<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web |last=Howman |first=David |date=February 12, 2020 |title=Five college kickers to know in the 2020 NFL draft class |url=https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2020/2/12/21133653/five-college-kickers-to-know-in-the-2020-nfl-draft-class-rodrigo-blankenship-kai-forbath-brett-maher |website=Blogging The Boys}}</ref><ref name="auto2" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Samuel Sloman College Stats |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/samuel-sloman-1.html |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref><ref name="dasilva" />
Sloman earned Second-Team All-Mid-American Conference honors, and was named Second-Team All-America by ''The Athletic''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Clark |first=Dave |date=April 25, 2020 |title=Sam Sloman, Miami University RedHawks kicker, drafted by Rams in seventh round |work=Cincinnati Enquirer |url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/college/miami-university/2020/04/25/sam-sloman-los-angeles-rams-draft-miami-redhawks-kicker-round-7/3028909001/ |access-date=April 26, 2020}}</ref> He ranks second in field goals (49) and extra points (112) and third in percentage (.790) all-time for Miami.<ref name="auto" /><ref name="auto2" /> Lance Zierlein of nfl.com described Sloman as: "Stocky with plenty of fire in his belly."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Larry Brake |date=April 26, 2020 |title=Sam Sloman is the next LA Rams kicker added to the roster |url=https://ramblinfan.com/2020/04/26/sam-sloman-next-la-rams-kicker-added-roster/ |website=Fansided}}</ref>
==Professional career== ===Los Angeles Rams=== Sloman was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the seventh round (248th overall) of the 2020 NFL draft, even though kickers are rarely selected in the NFL draft.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pfister |first=Brady |date=March 6, 2020 |title=Miami football players flex skills for pro scouts |url=https://oxfordobserver.org/1222/miami/miami-football-players-flex-skills-for-pro-scouts/ |website=Oxford Observer}}</ref><ref name="dasilva">{{Cite news |last=DaSilva |first=Cameron |date=April 25, 2020 |title=Rams draft kicker Sam Sloman at No. 248 overall |work=Rams Wire |url=https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2020/04/25/rams-draft-kicker-sam-sloman-at-no-248-overall/ |access-date=April 26, 2020}}</ref> The Rams were impressed by his past performance in the clutch, with Rams senior personnel executive Brian Xanders noting: "In the second half or overtime during the last two years, he went 27 out of 29. So when the score is tight or it’s getting close to the end of the game, he’s been clutch."<ref name="auto3">{{Cite web |last=Cameron DaSilva |date=May 29, 2020 |title=This stat shows just how clutch Rams K Sam Sloman was in college |url=https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2020/05/29/la-rams-sam-sloman-kicker-traits/ |website=USA Today}}</ref> Xanders added that he liked Sloman's angle of approach, similar to a powerful golf swing, and "he's gotten better every year [...] He's a powerful guy, he's a weather kicker, and he's a competitor. He just wants to take everybody's job."<ref name="auto3" /> Sloman was the first Miami University kicker to be drafted in the NFL, and its 40th player.<ref name="auto2" />
On July 28, 2020, Sloman signed a four-year, $3.37 million contract.<ref name=ref/> He was named the Rams' starting kicker, beating out fellow rookies Lirim Hajrullahu and Austin MacGinnis.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith, Michael David |date=September 4, 2020 |title=Rookie Sam Sloman wins Rams' kicker competition |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2020/09/04/rookie-sam-sloman-wins-rams-kicker-competition/ |website=Pro Football Talk |publisher=NBC Sports}}</ref> When Sloman was asked if he was nervous about kicking in front of no fans at SoFi Stadium, Sloman said: "It's not going to be weird for me not having fans at the games. I played plenty of games in college [at Miami] with not many people there."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Arthur |first=Kenneth |date=October 28, 2020 |title=Re-living Sam Sloman's best moments as the Los Angeles Rams kicker |url=https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2020/10/28/21537407/sam-sloman-highlights-rams-best-moments-career-retrospective |website=Turf Show Times}}</ref> After playing in the team's first seven games, he was waived on October 27.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Arthur |first=Kenneth |date=October 27, 2020 |title=Rams transactions: Sam Sloman released, Kai Forbath to take over at kicker |url=https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2020/10/27/21537116/rams-transactions-sam-sloman-released-kai-forbath |access-date=October 27, 2020 |website=Turf Show Times |publisher=SB Nation}}</ref> Sloman had converted 8-of-11 field goal attempts, with a long of 42, and was 18-for-21 on extra point attempts.<ref name="ref">{{Cite web |title=Sam Sloman Stats |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SlomSa00.htm |access-date=November 25, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference}}</ref>
===Tennessee Titans=== thumb|right|Sloman in January 2021 On November 24, 2020, Sloman was signed to the Tennessee Titans' practice squad.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wyatt, Jim |date=November 24, 2020 |title=Titans Place LB Jayon Brown and LT Ty Sambrailo on Injured Reserve While Making Several Other Roster Moves |url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-place-lb-jayon-brown-and-lt-ty-sambrailo-on-injured-reserve-while-making- |website=Tennessee Titans}}</ref> Following an injury to Stephen Gostkowski, Sloman was elevated to the active roster on January 2, 2021, for the team's Week 17 matchup against the Houston Texans.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moraitis |first=Mike |date=January 2, 2021 |title=Titans activate Brett Kern from COVID-19 list among 3 roster moves |url=https://titanswire.usatoday.com/2021/01/02/titans-activate-brett-kern-from-covid-19-list-among-3-roster-moves/ |access-date=January 4, 2021 |website=Titanswire}}</ref> He hit all five extra point attempts and both field goals, including the game-winner that hit the right upright from 37 yards away as time expired, with which the Titans won the AFC South.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kamil |first=Kayla |date=January 8, 2021 |title=Miami football alums excel during pandemic-ridden NFL season |url=https://oxfordobserver.org/3758/miami/miami-football-alums-excel-during-pandemic-ridden-nfl-season/ |website=Oxford Observer}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Organ |first=Mike |date=January 3, 2021 |title=Sam Sloman had not met all of his Titans teammates before making winning kick against Texans |url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/nfl/titans/2021/01/03/sam-sloman-titans-winning-kick/4059552001/ |website=The Tennessean}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kayanja |first=Ian |date=January 3, 2021 |title=Sloman Makes a Name for Himself With Game-Winning Kick |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/titans/gameday/tennessee-titans-houston-texans-nfl-sam-sloman-game-winning-field-goal |website=Sports Illustrated}}</ref>
Sloman was released on January 12.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 12, 2021 |title=Samuel Sloman: Cut from practice squad |work=CBSSports.com |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/samuel-sloman-cut-from-practice-squad/ |access-date=February 17, 2021}}</ref>
===Pittsburgh Steelers=== On July 1, 2021, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Sloman to a one-year deal.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Varley, Teresa |date=July 1, 2021 |title=Steelers sign Sloman |work=Steelers.com |url=https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-sign-sloman |access-date=July 2, 2021}}</ref> He was waived on August 17.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Varley, Teresa |date=August 17, 2021 |title=Steelers reduce roster to 85 players |url=https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-reduce-roster-to-85-players |website=Steelers.com |access-date=August 18, 2021 |archive-date=August 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818004104/https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-reduce-roster-to-85-players |url-status=dead }}</ref> Sloman was re-signed to practice squad on November 27.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Varley |first=Teresa |date=November 27, 2021 |title=Steelers make moves, place two on IR |url=https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-make-moves-place-two-on-ir |access-date=2025-04-13 |website=Steelers.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Schofield |first=Dave |date=2021-12-13 |title=The Steelers make several roster moves heading into Week 15 |url=https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2021/12/13/22832896/the-pittsburgh-steelers-make-several-roster-moves-heading-into-week-15-joe-haeg-john-simon-news |access-date=2025-04-13 |website=Behind the Steel Curtain|publisher=SB Nation |language=en}}</ref>
Sloman signed a reserve/future contract with the Steelers on January 18, 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Varley |first=Teresa |date=January 18, 2022 |title=Steelers sign 12 to Reserve/Future contracts |url=https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-sign-12-to-reserve-futures-contracts |access-date=2025-04-13 |website=Steelers.com}}</ref> He was waived on May 16.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Varley |first=Teresa |date=May 16, 2022 |title=Steelers sign four players |url=https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-sign-four-players |access-date=2025-04-13 |website=Steelers.com}}</ref>
===San Francisco 49ers=== On October 12, 2022, Sloman was signed to the San Francisco 49ers practice squad.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 12, 2022 |title=49ers Sign Tevin Coleman to Active Roster; Release QB |url=https://www.49ers.com/news/49ers-sign-tevin-coleman-to-active-roster-release-qb-marlon-mack |access-date=January 28, 2023 |website=49ers.com}}</ref> He was released six days later.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 18, 2022 |title=49ers Sign Benkert, Hollman to the Practice Squad |url=https://www.49ers.com/news/49ers-sign-benkert-hollman-to-the-practice-squad |access-date=January 28, 2023 |website=49ers.com}}</ref>
===Vegas Vipers=== thumb|Sloman in 2023 On April 4, 2023, Sloman signed with the Vegas Vipers of the XFL.<ref>{{Cite web |title=XFL Transactions |url=https://www.xfl.com/xfl-transactions |access-date=April 5, 2023 |website=www.xfl.com |language=en |archive-date=March 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200316152142/https://www.xfl.com/xfl-transactions |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Vipers folded when the XFL and United States Football League merged to create the United Football League (UFL).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Seifert |first=Kevin |date=January 1, 2024 |title=Newly formed United Football League sets 8 markets, tabs coaches |url=https://www.espn.com/xfl/story/_/id/39222541/newly-formed-united-football-league-sets-8-markets-tabs-coaches |access-date=January 15, 2024 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref>
==Career statistics==
=== NFL === {|style="text-align:center;" class="wikitable" |- ! rowspan=2|Year ! rowspan=2|Team ! rowspan=2|GP ! colspan=9|Field Goals ! colspan=3|Extra Points ! rowspan=2|Points |- ! {{tooltip|FGM|Fields goals made}} !! {{tooltip|FGA|Field goals attempted}} !! {{tooltip|FG%|Completion percentage}} !! {{tooltip|<20|Distance of less than 20 yards}} !! {{tooltip|20−29|Distance between 20 and 29 yards}} !! {{tooltip|30−39|Distance between 30 and 39 yards}} !! {{tooltip|40−49|Distance between 40 and 49 yeards}} !! {{tooltip|50+|Distance of 50 yards or greater}}!! {{tooltip|Lng|Longest field goal made}} !! {{tooltip|XPM|Extra points made}} !! {{tooltip|XPA|Extra points attempted}} !! {{tooltip|XP%|Completion percentage}} |- ! rowspan="2"| 2020 !! LAR | '''7'''|| '''8'''|| '''11'''|| 72.7 || 0−0 || '''2−3'''|| '''5−5'''|| 1−2 || 0−1 || 42 || '''18'''|| '''21'''|| 85.7 || '''42''' |- style="text-align:center;" ! TEN | 1 || 2 || 2 || '''100.0'''|| 0−0 || 0−0 || 1−1 || '''1−1'''|| 0−0 || '''47'''|| 5 || 5 || '''100.0''' || 11 |- ! colspan="2"| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SlomSa00.htm Total] || 8 || 10 || 13 || 76.9 || 0−0 || 2−3 || 6−6 || 2−3 || 0−1 || 47 || 23 || 26 || 93.8 || 53 |}
=== XFL === {|style="text-align:center;" class="wikitable" |- ! rowspan=2|Year ! rowspan=2|Team ! rowspan=2|GP ! colspan=9|Field Goals ! colspan=3|Extra Points ! rowspan=2|Points |- ! {{tooltip|FGM|Fields goals made}} !! {{tooltip|FGA|Field goals attempted}} !! {{tooltip|FG%|Completion percentage}} !! {{tooltip|<20|Distance of less than 20 yards}} !! {{tooltip|20−29|Distance between 20 and 29 yards}} !! {{tooltip|30−39|Distance between 30 and 39 yards}} !! {{tooltip|40−49|Distance between 40 and 49 yeards}} !! {{tooltip|50+|Distance of 50 yards or greater}}!! {{tooltip|Lng|Longest field goal made}} !! {{tooltip|XPM|Extra points made}} !! {{tooltip|XPA|Extra points attempted}} !! {{tooltip|XP%|Completion percentage}} |- ! 2023 !! VGS | 3 || 3 || 5 || 60.0 || 0−0 || 1−1 || 0−0 || 0−1 || 2−3 || 53 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 9 |- style="text-align:center;" ! colspan="2"| [https://www.footballdb.com/players/samuel-sloman-slomasa01 Total] || 3 || 3 || 5 || 60.0 || 0−0 || 1−1 || 0−0 || 0−1 || 2−3 || 53 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 9 |}
== Personal life == Sloman is Jewish, and his college teammates nicknamed him the "Kosher Cannon."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Eric D. |date=September 7, 2020 |title=Rams believe rookie Samuel Sloman built to handle pressure; Miami of Ohio product effective in second half of games in college |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/rams/news/la-rams-kicker-samuel-sloman-built-to-handle-pressure |website=Sports Illustrated}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cohen |first=David R. |date=February 17, 2016 |title=Football Signings: Sloman to Miami, Gothard to Penn |url=https://atlantajewishtimes.timesofisrael.com/football-signings-sloman-to-miami-gothard-to-penn/ |website=Atlanta Jewish Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Nate Bloom |date=October 9, 2020 |title=Jewish NFL players; Film tells story of Chicago 7 |url=https://www.stljewishlight.com/features/jewish-nfl-players-film-tells-story-of-chicago-7/article_82014a4c-0a5d-11eb-9086-3b55429b812d.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210310021001/https://www.stljewishlight.com/features/jewish-nfl-players-film-tells-story-of-chicago-7/article_82014a4c-0a5d-11eb-9086-3b55429b812d.html |archive-date=March 10, 2021 |access-date=February 4, 2021 |website=St. Louis Jewish Light}}</ref>
==See also== *List of select Jewish football players
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{commons}} *[https://twitter.com/ssloman118?lang=en Twitter page] *[https://miamiredhawks.com/sports/football/roster/sam-sloman/5819 Miami RedHawks bio] *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tg5s9rYtWPo "Sam Sloman: Have to Focus on Doing Your Job,"] January 3, 2021 (video)
{{Los Angeles Rams 2020 draft navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sloman, Sam}} Category:1997 births Category:Living people Category:Players of American football from Roswell, Georgia Category:Jewish American players of American football Category:American football placekickers Category:Pace Academy alumni Category:Miami RedHawks football players Category:Los Angeles Rams players Category:Tennessee Titans players Category:Pittsburgh Steelers players Category:21st-century American Jews Category:San Francisco 49ers players Category:Vegas Vipers players