Ensworth junior linebacker Sam Haley committed to TCU football Friday, announcing his decision on social media.
His decision was posted on Instagram Live as friends and family gathered. Virginia Tech, Tennessee, North Carolina and TCU hats were placed on a table at his home. It was the Horned Frogs hat that he pulled over his head.
“I toured TCU about three weeks ago and just fell in love with the campus,” Haley said. “I just really pictured myself in every aspect of TCU, whether it would be the academics or the social life. This is where I want to be. This is where I’m going to be happy.”
Haley, a 6-foot-3, 220-pound Class of 2025 three-star linebacker, had received an offer from Josh Heupel and Tennessee on Oct. 10, and Haley released his top eight schools last month, which included South Carolina, West Virginia, Missouri and Michigan State.
He admitted he gave strong consideration to Tennessee and was talking daily with teammate and four-star defenseman lineman Ethan Utley, who committed to the Vols on March 28. Haley also has spoken with Brentwood Academy quarterback George MacIntyre, who committed to UT in January.
“Ethan was . . . telling me how much he loves it,” Haley said. “I grew up being a Tennessee fan, being from Tennessee. And it was a dream come true when they offered me. I was very intrigued by their offer. But it just felt like, for me, TCU was going to be the best fit for me.”
TCU was in the College Football Playoff in 2023, beating Michigan in the semifinal before losing to Georgia in the title game. The Horned Frogs got a late start recruiting Haley but quickly made an impression.
“TCU was one of the schools that I really admired,” he said. “And their national championship run a few years back was an eye-opener for me. I saw that that program was going in the right direction and I always thought that would be a place I’d love to go visit if I did get the offer.”
Haley said he’ll get a chance to compete as an inside linebacker, where he played as a freshman and sophomore. He is ranked No. 25 from the Class of 2025 in Tennessee, according to the 247Sports Composite, and the No. 88 linebacker in the nation.
He recorded four sacks and five tackles for loss with Ensworth in 2023. He finished with 59.5 tackles (50 solo), plus two QB knockdowns and four QB hurries. The Tigers, 8-3 last fall, were eliminated 17-14 in overtime by Montgomery Bell Academy in the TSSAA Division II-AAA state quarterfinals.
Haley is the second Tigers player to announce a commitment this calendar year, after Utley. Linebacker Mason Curtis signed with Michigan during the December early signing period.
Ensworth is entering its first season under coach and former NFL quarterback Tim Hasselbeck, who will bring his brother, Matt Hasselbeck, on as a coach as well. Former Ensworth coach Roc Batten resigned in late November and was hired April 8 to a coaching position at Savannah Country Day in Georgia.