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By Jim Irish/Contributing writer
Posted April 13, 2021
Tribe Consolidated’s Samuel Osborn, the home school’s all-time rushing leader, has signed a letter of intent with Ottawa University in Ottawa, Kan.
Osborn gained 2,910 yards rushing last season and scored 58 touchdowns, leading Tribe to its third consecutive TAIAO Division I six-man football state championship with an 11-1 record.
For his career, Osborn rushed for 5,812 yards and scored 128 touchdowns.
Tribe coach Brent Golemon said in an email that Osborn has set the standard for future running backs in the program.
“He will be remembered for being one of the toughest and most durable players to have played at Tribe, having never missed a game,” Golemon said. “His quiet leadership showed others what can be achieved through hard work and dedication.”
Osborn chose Ottawa, an NAIA college in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference, after visiting the campus and interacting with the coaches during the recruiting process. He said he received a $20,000 annual scholarship.
“...I really truly feel it’s where I’m supposed to be, the right school for me,” Osborn said.
He also received offers from Central Methodist (Mo.) University and Sterling (Kan.) University.
Former Tribe teammate Grant Golemon is starting at cornerback as a true freshman for Ottawa, which completed its season with a 5-5 record.
“I’d have a buddy there,” Osborn said.
Osborn said the Ottawa head coach told him that he would try out at running back and then possibly transition to slot receiver.
“I just want to play,” Osborn said. “I’m just excited about getting on the field and playing.”
Osborn, a 5-foot-8, 160-pound senior who runs a hand-timed 40-yard dash in 4.61 seconds, transferred to Tribe after playing his freshman season with a home school team in Lockhart. He played primarily at cornerback as a sophomore and had “minimal reps” at running back behind Esteban Lozano.
He became the primary offensive weapon his final two seasons.
“It was a lot of fun,” Osborn said about his experience with Tribe. “I really enjoyed it. I wouldn’t change any of it.”
