"I didn't start jogging until the spring," Sampson said. "Then, after the screws were taken out, I was able to run again in the early part of the summer."
Before the injury, Sampson, a solid halfback and cornerback, was clocked at 4.48 seconds in the 40-yard dash. The University of Pittsburgh showed interest before coach Dave Wannstedt was fired last December.
"It's been pretty frustrating," the 6-foot-2, 195-pound senior said. "I feel like I'm playing well enough to generate some interest. I'm trying to be patient with the process. I hope some school sees me and takes interest."
Through seven games, Sampson, also dangerous as a kick returner, has carried 130 times for 893 yards and 13 touchdowns.
"He's got breakaway speed, good balance, and quickness," said Unionville coach Pat Clark, whose squad is 6-1 overall and 2-1 in the Ches-Mont League American Conference.
As a cornerback in a 4-4 scheme, Sampson helped limit Coatesville's Kyle Kerrick, a Michigan State recruit, and West Chester Rustin's Anthony Nash, ticketed for Duke, to a combined four catches.
"I'm pretty confident about facing any receiver out there," the 17-year-old said. "I like the challenge of proving myself against the area's big-name players."
Sampson's foot injury came while he returned a kick against Phoenixville.
"I made a couple of moves, saw a hole to break through, and then somebody dove toward me and landed on my foot. I didn't know how bad it was until I got the results from the doctor," Sampson said.
Sampson's surgery was performed by Steven M. Raikin, of the Rothman Institute, in downtown Philadelphia. Ex-Eagles running back Duce Staley is an example of an NFL player who was never the same after suffering a Lisfranc injury.
"Early on, I questioned how good I would be," Sampson said. "The biggest thing was getting used to game speed again. Now, I feel like I'm pretty much completely back to 100 percent."
