Cameron Sample Bio
Cameron Sample is an American professional football defensive end currently playing for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He previously spent five seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals after being selected in the 2021 NFL Draft, contributing to one of the league’s most active defensive lines. Before turning professional, Sample played college football for the Tulane Green Wave, where he developed into one of the top defensive players in the American Athletic Conference.
Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing 272 pounds, Sample is known for his work along the edge, using his size and length to set the edge against the run while pressuring opposing quarterbacks. His professional career has spanned multiple coaching staffs and defensive schemes, reflecting his versatility as a defensive lineman at the highest level of American football.
Early Life and Background
Cameron Sample was born on September 20, 1999, in Snellville, Georgia, in the United States. He grew up in the Snellville community and attended Shiloh High School, where he first developed the skills that would eventually lead him to a professional football career. As a young athlete in Georgia, he was surrounded by a strong football culture that helped shape his early interest in the sport.
Coming out of high school, Sample was rated as a two-star recruit by recruiting services. Despite the modest rating, he drew attention from multiple college programs and originally committed to play at Georgia Southern before changing his plans. He ultimately signed to play college football at Tulane, a decision that would launch his path toward the NFL.
Path to American Football
Sample’s journey toward a professional career in American football began with his commitment to Tulane University. After initially pledging to Georgia Southern, he made a pivotal switch that sent him to the Tulane Green Wave, where he would spend four seasons developing his game. His recruitment story became a reminder that ratings do not always predict professional potential.
As he transitioned into the college ranks, Sample quickly proved he could compete at the collegiate level. His progression from a lightly recruited high school prospect to a fourth-round NFL Draft pick illustrates a steady climb built on consistent development, resilience, and on-field production. His college trajectory established him as a prospect to watch heading into his senior season.
Cameron Sample Career
Early Career (2017–2020)
Cameron Sample played his college football for the Tulane Green Wave from 2017 through 2020. As a freshman, he appeared in 11 games and made three starts, gaining valuable experience against top-level college competition. The early playing time helped him adjust to the speed and physical demands of the defensive end position.
In his sophomore season, Sample became a more regular contributor, starting 11 games and recording four sacks. His junior year was slowed by nagging injuries, but he still managed to play in all 13 of Tulane’s games, finishing with 44 total tackles. He capped his college career with a strong senior campaign, posting 52 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, and five sacks, which earned him first-team All-American Athletic Conference honors in 2020.
Cincinnati Bengals Breakthrough (2021–2025)
Cameron Sample was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fourth round, 111th overall, of the 2021 NFL Draft. Shortly after the draft, he signed his four-year rookie contract with the team on May 17, 2021, officially beginning his professional career. He joined a Bengals defense that was rebuilding its identity and looking for young edge players to develop.
During his time in Cincinnati, Sample worked his way into the defensive rotation, contributing across multiple seasons as a rotational defensive end. Through the 2025 season, he had accumulated 85 total tackles, 7 sacks, 1 pass deflection, and 1 forced fumble, according to his career NFL statistics. On August 5, 2024, Sample suffered a torn Achilles tendon that ended his season, but he recovered and re-signed with the Bengals on March 13, 2025, continuing his role with the team.
San Francisco 49ers Era (2026–Present)
On April 13, 2026, Cameron Sample signed with the San Francisco 49ers on a one-year contract, beginning a new chapter in his professional career. The move marked his first team change since entering the league, bringing his experience as a rotational defensive end to a 49ers defense known for its aggressive front seven. The signing reflected San Francisco’s continued effort to add depth and veteran presence along the defensive line.
Sample’s transition to the 49ers places him within a new defensive system, where he is expected to compete for snaps at defensive end. His experience in Cincinnati, including work in both base and passing-down situations, gives him a versatile profile that should fit the 49ers’ multiple-front defensive approach. His early tenure with the team is focused on earning a defined role within a deep and talented defensive line rotation.
Driving Style and Strengths
Sample is recognized for his size, length, and motor at the defensive end position. Listed at 6 feet 3 inches and 272 pounds, he uses his frame to set a firm edge against the run while pursuing quarterbacks in passing situations. His college production in tackles for loss and sacks highlighted his ability to disrupt plays behind the line of scrimmage.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most significant moments of Sample’s professional career came when he was drafted in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. His first-team All-AAC selection in 2020 stood as a major college milestone, and his recovery from a torn Achilles tendon in 2024 demonstrated his resilience. His 2026 signing with the San Francisco 49ers added another chapter to his evolving career.
Cameron Sample Career Wins
While Cameron Sample plays a defensive position where traditional win totals differ from offensive statistics, his career has been marked by consistent production in tackles, sacks, and disruptive plays. Through the 2025 season with the Cincinnati Bengals, he recorded 85 total tackles, 7 sacks, 1 pass deflection, and 1 forced fumble, providing steady contributions as a rotational edge defender.
Cincinnati Bengals Highlights
Sample’s tenure with the Bengals produced his most extensive professional body of work, including his first career NFL games and his development into a reliable rotational defensive end. His seven career sacks came during his time in Cincinnati, and his ability to play on both early downs and passing situations made him a trusted depth piece for the defensive coaching staff.
Other Wins and Performances
At the college level, Sample’s most notable performance came during his senior season at Tulane, when he recorded 52 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, and five sacks. That production led to his first-team All-American Athletic Conference selection in 2020, validating his growth as a pass rusher and run defender.
Cameron Sample Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Cameron Sample was raised in Snellville, Georgia, where he attended Shiloh High School. Information about his parents and family background has not been widely published, and specific details about a family football lineage are not available in verified sources.
Personal Life
Sample has kept much of his personal life private, and details about a spouse, partner, or children are not publicly confirmed in available sources. His professional focus has remained on his football career, with his primary public identity centered on his work as an NFL defensive end.
2025 Season Performance
Cameron Sample’s 2025 season was played entirely with the Cincinnati Bengals, the team that drafted him in 2021. After re-signing with the Bengals on March 13, 2025, he continued to operate as a rotational defensive end, working within the team’s defensive front. His role within the rotation allowed him to contribute on running downs and in pass-rush packages throughout the year.
His prior Achilles injury in 2024 had raised questions about his long-term availability, but his return and re-signing reflected confidence from the Bengals in his recovery and continued production. Sample’s 2025 campaign added to his career NFL totals of 85 tackles and 7 sacks, reinforcing his value as a depth piece along the defensive line.
Heading into 2026, Sample’s deal with the Bengals expired, and he ultimately signed a one-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers on April 13, 2026. The 2025 season therefore served as the closing chapter of his Bengals tenure, providing a foundation for his next opportunity in San Francisco’s defensive scheme.