Post-OSU Update: Sammy Maldonado transferred from Ohio State to Maryland after the 2001 season. He sat out the 2002 season and had his 2003 season interrupted by an ACL tear. Maldonado led the Terps in rushing with 560 yards in his final college season, 2004. Post football, Maldonado has worked in the mental health field. (updated: Aug. 2022)

Major: Undeclared (2001)

Weight: 215 (2000-01)

2001 Media Guide: Sammy Maldonado was bracketed with senior Jonathan Wells at the end of spring practice at the No. 1 tailback spot … both players should play a lot this fall … considered one of the top running back prospects in the country coming out of high school … has size, power and speed and the ability to make defenders miss … was switched, albeit briefly, to fullback in the spring, but then moved back to tailback, where he really stepped up his play the last 10 days of practice to stay in the hunt for a starting position … could also play some fullback in the fall.

2000 Season: Did not play the first three games and appeared likely to redshirt, but asked to go in against Penn State and wound up playing in four games for a total of 22 minutes … lettered.

High School: High school player of the year for the state of New York … Parade All-America … two-time high school Heisman award winner in the state of New York … USA Today’s New York Player of the Year … one of only 30 players in prep football history to rush for over 7,000 career yards … finished his career with 7,581 yards rushing and 99 touchdowns … high school team won the Class B state championship … rated as the No. 1 running back prospect in the nation and a first-team All-America by Rivals100.com … rushed for over 3,000 yards as a senior … Eastern Region Most Valuable Player and No. 1 prospect in the East as rated by SuperPrep … rushed for over 2,300 yards and 35 touchdowns as a junior.