BRIGHTON, Mich. - Growing up, Tyrone Sampson wanted to be a baseball player. But America's Pastime was not as popular in Detroit as it was in other places. So he tried football, and it has been very beneficial to him ever since. The 6-3, 315-pounder attends East English Village High School on the city's deep east side, and over the last four years, has turned himself into one of the nation's top offensive linemen.
"I really didn't even like football, growing up," Sampson laughed. "I liked baseball. It wasn't until I got on the A-team in little league football that I realized that I was decent at football, and that maybe I could play it in high school."
Sampson was originally supposed to go to St. Clair Shores South Lake out of the 8th grade, but opted to go to EEVP instead. During his time there, the Bulldogs have gone 21-11 and have consistently been one of the top offensive and defensive lines in the state.
"One day when I was in the 8th grade, I went up there (EEVP) to watch the practice," said Sampson. "My dad was talking to one of the former coaches there, and he told my dad he was going to let us know when weight-training started, so that I could see more of the program."
"I knew they didn't have a center, because the center was graduating, so that would give me a great chance at starting on varsity if I came in and did what I was supposed to do throughout the whole summer."
Sampson worked extremely hard during the summer of 2014, started for EEVP that season as a freshman, and has been a starter along the offensive line ever since for head coach Rod Oden, who coach's Sampson position. Since its inception in 2012, EEVP has had some pretty good linemen come through its program, and Sampson might be the best yet, thanks to the tutelage of Oden and little league head coach Ray Lyons Sr., of the Eastside Titans.
"Coach Oden has been a big inspiration to me," Sampson said. "He basically taught me everything that I know, he and my little league coach Ray Lyons. They both have been on my head ever since I've been in high school. Coach Oden helped tone me up, helped me understand what I needed to work on to become dominant, and made everything clear to me."
Sampson has grown to love his position, which is often overlooked in football, because it is not a sexy position, like quarterback, running back, or wide receiver. But none of those positions can get their job done if Sampson does not do his. He originally wanted to play along the defensive line in high school, and started a number of games there last year, but has grown to love being an offensive lineman, and it shows in his game.
"As I've grown into high school, and started playing center more, I've grown to like offense way more than defense," said Sampson. "I enjoy tossing people around, and taking them to the ground. Running backs like scoring long touchdowns. Lineman like driving people down the field, and pancaking them. That's just what we enjoy."
Most players feel they are the best at their respective positions. Sampson is no different. But what separates the talkers from the doers, is the execution. At Camp Pride over the weekend, Sampson dominated once again. He rarely loses reps, if any at all, and the same thing goes for in-game situations. He's too wide to try to run around, and too strong to run through. One Sampson get his hands on you, your day is done. His performance at the camp won him overall offensive MVP.
"When I go into camps or games, I just tell myself that I cannot lose this rep," Sampson said. "I look to dominate every guy I face, and make sure that I am good with my technique. I am very physical, but I also use my feet well. Not many 300-pounders can move like I can. You don't even really need hands to play this position, just move your feet."
