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Data updatedOct 31, 2026
RB, Wisconsin

Abu Sama III stats, 2026

Wisconsin (5–2, Big Ten). Running back. 2026 season, games through Oct 24, 2026.

Abu Sama III is a running back for Wisconsin (5–2). Among running backs this season he's 89th in yards per carry (5.8), 176th in rushing yards (282), 187th in explosive runs (12+ yards) (5), in 5 games. This week: Wisconsin at Iowa.

Rushing yards282176th of 427 running backs
Carries49217th of 428 running backs
Yards per carry5.889th of 372 running backs
Rushing TDs1350th of 351 running backs

Bio

Who is Abu Sama III?

Position
Running back
Class
Senior
Height
5-11
Weight
211 pounds
Number
No. 3
Hometown
Des Moines, IA
High school
Southeast Polk (Des Moines, IA)
Recruiting
3-star, No. 712 in the 2023 class, signed with Iowa State
Transfers
Iowa State to Wisconsin (2026)

From the 2026 roster, the 247Sports recruiting composite and the transfer portal, all via CollegeFootballData.com.

The season

Abu Sama III's rushing stats

He's 89th of 372 running backs in yards per carry (5.8) and 176th of 427 running backs in rushing yards (282).

StatSeasonNational rank
Rushing yards282176th of 427
Carries49217th of 428
Yards per carry5.889th of 372
Rushing TDs1350th of 351

The season

Abu Sama III's rushing efficiency and big plays

He's 117th of 357 running backs in EPA per play (0.19) and 187th of 393 running backs in explosive runs (12+ yards) (5).

StatSeasonNational rank
Rushing success rate38.8%262nd of 366
Explosive runs (12+ yards)5187th of 393
EPA per play0.19117th of 357

The season

Abu Sama III's receiving stats

He's 288th of 395 running backs in catches (4) and 298th of 392 running backs in receiving yards (23).

StatSeasonNational rank
Catches4288th of 395
Receiving yards23298th of 392

Ranks are among every FBS running back with the stat this season. Rates need a minimum sample (50 dropbacks for passing rates, 20 carries, 8 catches). From the play-by-play.

Career

Abu Sama III's career stats

SeasonTeamCarriesRush ydsYds/carryRush TDCatchesRec ydsRec TD
2023Iowa State846147.367510
2024Iowa State1245874.728580
2025Iowa State1417325.255190
2026Wisconsin492825.814230
Career3982,2155.614241510

Past seasons (back to 2022) from CollegeFootballData.com; 2026 from the play-by-play, games through Oct 24, 2026.

By school

How did Abu Sama III do at Iowa State and Wisconsin?

Wisconsin this season is where he's been best: his best on 3 of the 4 rates below. That's +0.19 EPA per play (+0.01 at Iowa State), a rushing success rate of 38.8% (33.7%) and 5.8 yards a carry (5.5). His weakest stretch was Iowa State (2023–2025): +0.01 EPA per play and a rushing success rate of 33.7%. His biggest season for rushing yards was 2025 at Iowa State, with 732. The Wisconsin numbers are 2026 so far, through Oct 24, 2026. The rates compare fairly with his other seasons; the totals are still growing.

Rushing yards by season
2023, Iowa State: 61461420232024, Iowa State: 58758720242025, Iowa State: 73273220252026, Wisconsin: 2822822026*
EPA per play
Iowa State, 2023–2025: +0.01+0.012023–2025Wisconsin, 2026: +0.19+0.192026*
Rushing success rate
Iowa State, 2023–2025: 33.7%33.7%2023–2025Wisconsin, 2026: 38.8%38.8%2026*
Yards per carry
Iowa State, 2023–2025: 5.55.52023–2025Wisconsin, 2026: 5.85.82026*
SchoolSeasonsCarriesRush ydsYds/carryRush TDCatchesRec ydsRec TDRush successExplosive runsExplosive catches
Iowa State2023–20253491,9335.51320128033.7%12.1%10.5%
Wisconsin2026 (so far)492825.81423038.8%10.2%—

* 2026 so far, through Oct 24, 2026.

Totals for his seasons at each school; rates worked out from those totals. Success and explosive rates count every play; EPA per play leaves out garbage time. Rates need the same minimum sample as the season stats.

Advanced

Abu Sama III's advanced stats by season

SeasonTeamEPA/playPass EPA/playRush EPA/playRush successExplosive runsExplosive catchesTotal EPAUsage
2023Iowa State+0.12-0.00+0.1331.7%15.9%—10.315%
2024Iowa State-0.07+0.20-0.0930.9%9.8%12.5%-8.714%
2025Iowa State+0.01-0.27+0.0339.1%12.0%—1.022%
2026Wisconsin+0.19+0.02+0.2038.8%10.2%—10.120%

EPA per play is the expected points a player adds on each of his plays (0 is average; glossary). Success means the play stayed on schedule: half the yards to go on first down, 70% on second, all of them on third or fourth. Explosive means a run of 12+ yards or a completion of 16+, as a share of his throws, carries or catches. Usage is the share of his team's plays that went to him. EPA and usage leave out garbage time; success and explosive rates count every play. From CollegeFootballData.com and cfbfastR.

Game log

Abu Sama III's game log, 2026

WeekOpponentResultRushing yardsCarriesRushing TDsExplosive runs (12+ yards)Catches
1vs. Notre DameL 13–414414000
2vs. Western IllinoisW 36–91078121
4at Penn StateW 24–20345011
7at UCLAL 7–17346010
8vs. USCW 24–76316012

FAQ

Questions about Abu Sama III

What position does Abu Sama III play?

Abu Sama III plays running back for Wisconsin, which is 5–2 this season.

Where has Abu Sama III played?

Iowa State (2023–2025) and Wisconsin (2026).

Where is Abu Sama III from, and what year is he?

Abu Sama III is a senior running back for Wisconsin, listed at 5-11 and 211 pounds, from Des Moines, IA.

How tall is Abu Sama III, and how much does he weigh?

Abu Sama III is listed at 5-11 and 211 pounds on Wisconsin's 2026 roster.

What year is Abu Sama III?

Abu Sama III is a senior, from the 2023 recruiting class.

What are Abu Sama III's career stats?

Over 4 seasons (2023–2026), Abu Sama III has 2,215 rushing yards on 398 carries with 14 rushing touchdowns, plus 24 catches for 151 yards.

Who does Abu Sama III play for?

Wisconsin (5–2, Big Ten), where he plays running back and wears No. 3.

Is Abu Sama III eligible for the NFL Draft?

Yes. Players can enter the NFL Draft three years after high school, and Abu Sama III was in the 2023 class, so he's eligible for the 2027 draft.

How did Abu Sama III play in his last game?

Week 8 vs. USC: 63 rushing yards, 16 carries, 1 explosive runs (12+ yards), 2 catches. Wisconsin won 24–7.

Where did Abu Sama III go to high school?

Southeast Polk (Des Moines, IA). He was a 3-star recruit, No. 712 in the 2023 class, signed with Iowa State.

Is Abu Sama III a transfer?

Yes. He transferred from Iowa State to Wisconsin (2026).

What are Abu Sama III's stats this season?

282 rushing yards, 49 carries, 5.8 yards per carry, 1 rushing TDs, 38.8% rushing success rate in 5 games, through Oct 24, 2026.

How does Abu Sama III rank nationally?

Among FBS running backs: 89th of 372 in yards per carry, 176th of 427 in rushing yards, 187th of 393 in explosive runs (12+ yards).

When does Abu Sama III play next?

Wisconsin visits Iowa Sat, Oct 31, 12:00 PM ET on Fox. The numbers' pick: Iowa.

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