There are still uncertainties surrounding Sammy Seamster’s athleticism. None of those remaining questions involve the Ooltewah senior’s ability, but rather where he is projected to play at the next level.

A relative newcomer to football, Seamster has quickly risen to become one of the state’s top prospects, but the debate surrounding the 6-foot-2, 190-pound speedster is whether he will play cornerback, safety or receiver in college.

“I don’t think college coaches have been able to pigeon hole him into just one position yet,” Ooltewah assistant coach Ted Gatewood said. “He could line up on either side of the ball and be a factor.

“With his work ethic and character, he will excell wherever he winds up. He just seems to soak up the information and then has the ability to turn what he’s learned into big plays on the field.”

Seamster’s mother, Alicia, ran the 400 and 4x400 at LSU and his father, Sammy Sr., was a running back at LSU. After his parents divorced, he moved in with his mother two years ago and began playing football only after coach Benny Monroe convinced him he should.

“I really hadn’t played much football before I got here,” Seamster said. “Once I got used to the hitting, I liked football right away. I love playing defense and delivering the hit.”

He started every game at cornerback for the Owls last season.

Many college recruiters also took notice this spring when Seamster helped the Owls’ 4x100 and 4x200 relay teams finish unbeaten and claim the Class AAA state title in those events. Also one of the area’s top long jumpers, he set a Best of Preps meet record in the 200 and recently turned in a hand-held time of 4.3 seconds in the 40-yard dash.

Traditionally, players his size do not run such fast times at such an early age.

“Seamster is a freak of nature to be that big and run that fast,” veteran Baylor track coach Bill McMahan once said. “I have never seen anybody that big run as fast as he does.”

Middle Tennessee State University was the first school to offer a scholarship, luring him with the chance to play football and run track, but he is also being recruited by Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia and North Carolina State.

“College coaches love the fact that for a kid that big, he can flat-out fly,” Monroe said. “Even though he’s new to the game, he’s athletic enough and smart enough that he picks up on technique pretty quick so he’s only going to get better.

“The difference between being recruited by some of the smaller schools and the big-time programs can be size or speed. Sammy is big-time.”