Memphis linebacker Sam Brumfield has picked up a thing or two over his extensive collegiate journey. After dominating at the JUCO level for Northwest Mississippi Community College, he went on to start 30 games at the Division I level for Middle Tennessee State, Virginia Tech, and Memphis.
In 2025, Brumfield ranked No. 16 among all FBS linebackers and second in the entire American Athletic Conference with an 82.4 PFSN LB Impact Score for the Tigers. His 13.0 tackles for a loss led the American, and now he’s looking to parlay that success into the professional level after the 2026 NFL Draft.
PFSN spoke exclusively with Brumfield about his journey from the JUCO level to becoming an NFL Draft prospect, winning his appeal for an extra year of college eligibility, his 2025 season at Memphis, and more.
It’s been a unique journey for you in college. Between your time in JUCO, Middle Tennessee State, Virginia Tech, and Memphis, how have each of your stints prepared you for the NFL?
Sam Brumfield: Honestly, I would say, going from school to school, I think I’ve learned so much, playing in different systems and being able to take everything and put it together in my last year at Memphis. I think [I’ve been] learning from different coaches and being able to display everything on the field, so I think that’s been the main thing, for sure.
You thought your college career was over near the end of 2025. When that ruling came in that gave you an extra year of eligibility due to your time at the JUCO level, what was your reaction?
SB: I felt like it was a business decision for me. I didn’t have the season that I wanted to at Virginia Tech, and I wanted to end my season the right way. I feel like coming back another year, whether it be at Virginia Tech or Memphis, I feel like that was a business decision for me to where I can just come back another year and boost my draft stock.
How was your transition from Virginia Tech to Memphis, and how did you overcome any hurdles in that process?
SB: To be quite honest, I would say it was kind of an easy transition, because this was my third time going to another school, so I knew what to look for. I knew how to handle the situation, or going from one place to another, and it was kind of easy. I came in, earned the respect for most of my guys around me, and I was a key player in helping that defense be what it can. I’m just grateful for the opportunity, but I took really good advantage of it. Going from one place to another, I think it helped me, in a sense. It was a smooth transition.
That’s a good point. Some of these upcoming rookies are leaving a program they’ve been at for a long time and entering a new situation. You’re used to that process.
SB: I don’t know a lot of guys that can go from one school to another and pick up on a system and be productive. I don’t know too many guys doing that. For me, being playing in JUCO for three years, and then going to school and becoming that guy, becoming that big-time leader. I think that’s what helped me, coming up out of JUCO and being an underdog, in a sense.
I’ve always stayed ready and been ready for the moment. I think that’s what separates me from a lot of guys in the draft class, because, like I said, I don’t know too many guys that can do that, especially when it comes to running plays and getting ready to be productive in a new, totally different system.
I wanna run through your pre-snap process. What are some of the things you’re looking at pre-snap, and once you identify if it’s a run or a pass, what’s going through your mind?
SB: Okay, first and foremost, I’m looking at the offensive line. They’re going to tell you everything pushing out. I’m in the back. In the back, I’m looking at the running back. That’s usually who I’m in correlation with when it comes to determining if it’s a run or pass. Those are my pre-snap indicators, and then also the tight end. Is he on or off [the line of scrimmage]?
If he’s flashing back, it’s more likely a run, but he could be going out for a pass, maybe out in the flats or whatever, but those are usually my key indicators. Obviously, when it comes to the offensive line, if they’re high hat, it’s usually a pass. Now, there could be times where they can lie to you, but for the most part, you can tell by their demeanor what it’s going to be.
How has this pre-draft process been for you?
SB: It’s kind of quiet, but I’m not really worried about it. I’m just controlling what I can control, and that’s being ready for the moment, working out each and every day, I’m taking care of my body, and waiting on that call. Like I said, I’ll be grateful for whatever opportunity that I get, and really just stay ready. I know that I may get a call, and I just got to be ready for the moment.
How do you like to spend your free time outside of football?
SB: Oh man, I love to fish. I love hanging out my friends and family. Being out in the country I come from, I’m in a small town, it’s called Pearl, Mississippi. It’s a lot of things to do. Whenever I’m here, I’m really just doing what I love to do, and that’s fishing, hanging out with my friends and family. I love to work out. That’s something that keeps me going, keeps me moving. That’s pretty much what I enjoy doing, for the most part.
Where are some of your favorite places to fish?
SB: Man, I fish all over. There’s one spot here locally called the Reservoir. I want to say Ross Barnett Reservoir out Mississippi. Then I have a couple of spots that my friends take me to around, like a state park or whatever. But yeah, man, I can fish just about anywhere. Being in such a small town, everyone knows each other, so usually, all I have to do is just ask around, and somebody will let me go fishing on some property.
What’s the biggest fish you’ve ever caught?
SB: That is a really good question. I’d say the biggest fish is probably a catfish, I want to say anywhere from about eight to ten pounds. Whenever I was going to Northwest Mississippi Community College, I caught that. That was about three or four years ago I caught that. It was about eight to ten pounds.
Let’s say I’m an NFL general manager. What would I be getting if I drafted you to my team?
SB: Man, for one, you’ll be getting a quick learner. You’ll also be getting a leader that’s willing to do whatever he can for his teammates. I feel like, when it comes down to a team, you got to have those guys that are willing to do whatever they can help a team win. Ultimately, that’s what it all comes down to, is winning. Also, you’ll want to get a guy that knows his football, that knows his stuff, and you’re going to get a guy that’s going to play fast, physical, and be ready for whatever is thrown at him, no matter what. Coming from different schools and learning how to adapt to something like I’ve been able to, learn and become better.
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Like I said earlier, I don’t know a lot of guys that can do that. I feel like, especially in the NFL, [it’s not] a job that’s secure. You got to be ready, got to be on your toes at all times, staying ready and being ready to learn. At the same time, [I’m] being that guy that guys can look up to and follow. I think that’s what GMs will be getting out of me, if they take a chance on me.
