Who is Sam Hartman and when will he appear on ABC's The Bachelor show? Here's his football career, teams, records and illness

Sam Hartman is moving from the football field to television as the lead of the reality dating series The Bachelor upcoming 30th season. ABC announced the 27-year-old's casting on Friday during an appearance on Good Morning America. Hartman will search for love when The Bachelor returns on March 21, 2027. He played college football for the teams like Wake Forest and Notre Dame before joining the NFL. He has set records in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Who is Sam Hartman?

Sam Hartman is a 27-year-old American football quarterback who plays for the Washington Commanders. He has been named the lead of The Bachelor Season 30. ABC announced his selection on Friday with Hartman appearing on Good Morning America to discuss his television debut.


"I'm excited but also very nervous," Hartman said during the interview. "I have a tough time holding conversation with one girl. Thirty is going to be pretty tough," he said.

When will Sam Hartman appear on The Bachelor?

The Bachelor Season 30 will premiere on Sunday, March 21, 2027, at 8 pm ET/PT on ABC. The episodes will stream on Hulu the following day. The show will also be available on Hulu on Disney+ for eligible bundle subscribers in the United States. The franchise has returned after a break of two years. Hartman will become the latest lead in the ABC dating series.

Sam Hartman's football career, teams, records and illness

Hartman was born in Charlotte, North Carolina. He played four seasons at Wake Forest before transferring to Notre Dame for his final college season in 2023. He became one of the productive quarterbacks in the Atlantic Coast Conference at Wake Forest. The team recorded an 11-3 season in 2021. Hartman threw for nearly 4,300 yards and 39 touchdowns. He also scored 11 rushing touchdowns.

The team recorded a 9-3 record during his final season at Notre Dame. Hartman threw 24 touchdown passes and eight interceptions. He finished his college career with 134 touchdown passes. It is an ACC record. He also set conference records for 300-yard passing games.

Hartman was diagnosed with Paget-Schroetter syndrome in 2022. He returned to football during the same season and received the ACC's Brian Piccolo Award for courage.

Hartman joined the Washington Commanders as an undrafted free agent after the 2024 NFL Draft. He has largely been part of the team's practice squad and has not appeared in a regular-season NFL game.