Wisconsin football lands Iowa State transfer running back Abu Sama III
After visiting campus, former Iowa State running back Abu Sama III has committed to Wisconsin football out of the transfer portal.
The Wisconsin football coaching staff has added proven production and make-you-miss ability to its backfield from the transfer portal for 2026.
According to a report from Nick Osen, Iowa State transfer running back Abu Sama III, who was on an official visit to Madison, has committed to the Badgers. Sama joins the fold with one year of eligibility and brings a skill set that explains why Wisconsin prioritized him when the portal opened.
A Des Moines (IA.) native who starred at Southeast Polk High School, Sama was a three-star recruit in the 2023 class, ranked as the No. 52 running back nationally and the No. 7 overall player in Iowa per the industry-generated composite. He committed to Iowa State in June of 2022 and proved he was capable of producing at the Power Four level.
As a true freshman in 2023, Sama flashed big-play ability right away. He carried the ball 84 times for 614 yards, averaging 7.3 yards per attempt, and scored six touchdowns. He also caught seven passes for 51 yards. That season included a breakout performance against Kansas State, when he erupted for 276 rushing yards and three touchdowns, a reminder of the explosiveness that made him such an intriguing high school recruit.
His role shifted in 2024 as Iowa State’s staff leaned on a deeper rotation, but the efficiency remained solid. Sama rushed 124 times for 587 yards and two scores, adding eight receptions for 58 yards out of the backfield.
In 2025, Sama shared the workload with Carson Hansen, finishing as the Cyclones’ second-leading rusher with 140 carries for 732 yards and five touchdowns. He also had five catches for 19 yards. Over three seasons, Sama totaled 1,933 rushing yards on 348 carries, averaging 5.6 yards per attempt, with 13 rushing touchdowns and 20 receptions for 128 yards.
Sama finished the 2025 season with a 78.4 overall offensive grade, including an 82.2 run grade, across 293 offensive snaps. He generated 491 yards after contact, averaged 3.51 yards after contact per carry, forced 48 missed tackles, and ripped off 19 runs of 10 yards or more, production that shows up on film just as clearly as it does in the numbers.
Wisconsin moved quickly after Sama entered the transfer portal, getting him onto campus for an official visit to meet with running backs coach Jayden Everett and the rest of the staff before he committed on Jan. 3.
Sama now joins a Badgers backfield that currently returns sophomore Darrion Dupree and redshirt freshman Gideon Ituka from last season. His experience, vision, and burst could help give Wisconsin a different gear in an offense looking for consistency and more chunk plays on the ground.
This is a low-risk, high-upside addition. Wisconsin is getting a runner who has already carried a significant load, produced against quality teams, and understands what it takes to contribute immediately. With one year of eligibility left, Sama is being brought in to compete for a meaningful role from the jump and could help resurrect a once-proud rushing attack.
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