What is confirmed: ABC announced Sam Hartman as the lead of The Bachelor Season 30 on November 13, 2026. ABC has scheduled the season premiere for March 21, 2027. Hartman's football career and his television casting are separate parts of his public profile.
Sam Hartman is making an unexpected career move, trading the football spotlight for the world of reality television.
The 27-year-old American football quarterback was announced as the leading man for Season 30 of ABC's popular dating show, The Bachelor. The announcement was made on November 13, 2026, during an appearance on Good Morning America.
Hartman's selection has attracted attention from both football fans and Bachelor viewers. While he has spent years pursuing a professional football career, he will now have an opportunity to look for a relationship in front of television viewers.
But who is Sam Hartman? What is his NFL background, how successful was his college football career and why did he agree to become the next Bachelor? Here's what to know about the quarterback entering a completely different kind of competition.
Who Is Sam Hartman?
Sam Hartman is an American football quarterback who played college football at Wake Forest University and the University of Notre Dame.
Born on July 29, 1999, Hartman is 27 years old as of November 2026. He became widely recognized during his college football career, particularly for his passing ability and touchdown records.
After going undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft, he signed with the Washington Commanders as an undrafted free agent. Hartman is now attracting a different kind of attention after ABC selected him to lead the 30th season of The Bachelor.
Why Is Sam Hartman Joining The Bachelor?
ABC announced Hartman as the new Bachelor on November 13, 2026, during Good Morning America. He will lead the show's milestone 30th season, where he will meet and date 30 women competing for a chance to build a relationship with him.
Hartman said he was both excited and nervous about the opportunity. He joked about the challenge of talking to 30 women, saying he sometimes struggles to hold a conversation with even one person.
According to his announcement interview, Hartman initially hesitated before accepting the opportunity. A conversation with franchise host Jesse Palmer helped him reconsider the offer.
Ultimately, Hartman said he wanted to find a lasting relationship, which became an important reason for accepting the role. His family, particularly his mother, encouraged him to remain himself and trust his instincts.
Sam Hartman's NFL Career
Before becoming the next Bachelor, Hartman spent several years trying to establish himself in professional football. He entered the 2024 NFL Draft after completing his college career at Notre Dame.
Although he was not selected by any team, the Washington Commanders signed him as an undrafted free agent in April 2024. Hartman spent much of his time with Washington on the practice squad and also received opportunities to compete during preseason games.
NBC Sports reported that Washington waived Hartman during roster cuts and that he had not appeared in a regular-season NFL game. That status should be kept separate from his Bachelor casting: the television announcement does not automatically mean he has retired from football.
His football journey has been different from that of many highly drafted quarterbacks. He has continued working toward an opportunity to play at the highest level, while his current public profile is now expanding into entertainment.
Sam Hartman's College Football Career
Hartman built his reputation through an impressive college career spanning Wake Forest and Notre Dame.
Wake Forest University (2018–2022)
Hartman spent five seasons at Wake Forest, where he became one of the program's most productive quarterbacks. He established multiple school records, including career completions, passing attempts, total touchdowns and total offensive yards.
His performance also made him one of the most recognizable quarterbacks in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Notre Dame (2023)
In 2023, Hartman transferred to Notre Dame for his final college season. He served as team captain and helped lead the Fighting Irish offense.
He finished his college career with 15,656 passing yards and 134 passing touchdowns across 60 games. His 134 career passing touchdowns set an ACC record, making him an experienced quarterback prospect when he entered the 2024 NFL Draft.
When Does The Bachelor Season 30 Premiere?
ABC has confirmed that The Bachelor will return for its 30th season on March 21, 2027. The season is scheduled to premiere on Sunday at 8:01 p.m. Eastern Time on ABC, with episodes available to stream on Hulu the following day.
The season represents an important return for the franchise, which experienced a break in its television schedule during 2026. Hartman's casting is particularly unusual because he comes from professional sports rather than the traditional Bachelor franchise contestant pool.
Is Sam Hartman Still Playing in the NFL?
Hartman's football career and his new television role have attracted attention because the two worlds are quite different.
He signed with Washington as an undrafted free agent in 2024 and spent much of his time on the practice squad. NBC Sports later reported that the Commanders waived him during roster cuts. He had not appeared in a regular-season game according to that reporting.
His Bachelor announcement does not automatically mean he has retired from football. His future NFL status and television filming commitments should be followed separately as further information becomes available.
What Makes Sam Hartman's Bachelor Casting Different?
The Bachelor traditionally features individuals who become known through previous reality television appearances or relationships within the franchise. Hartman brings a different background.
He is known for his college football achievements and professional football experience rather than previous participation in the dating show. His transition into reality television could introduce him to an audience that may not have followed his football career.
For football fans, it is also an opportunity to see a different side of a player they previously knew from the field. Reports have also connected Hartman with a Sport Clips advertising campaign in October 2026, adding to the public interest around his move into entertainment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sam Hartman
How old is Sam Hartman?
Sam Hartman was born on July 29, 1999, and is 27 years old as of November 2026.
Is Sam Hartman an NFL player?
Hartman entered the NFL in 2024 after signing with the Washington Commanders as an undrafted free agent. He spent much of his professional career on the practice squad and had not appeared in a regular-season game according to available reporting.
Is Sam Hartman the new Bachelor?
Yes. ABC announced Hartman as the lead of The Bachelor's 30th season on November 13, 2026.
When does Sam Hartman's Bachelor season start?
The Bachelor Season 30 is scheduled to premiere on March 21, 2027, on ABC.
Which college did Sam Hartman attend?
Hartman played five seasons at Wake Forest University before transferring to Notre Dame for the 2023 season.
How many touchdowns did Sam Hartman throw in college?
Hartman recorded 134 passing touchdowns during his college football career, setting an ACC record.
Has Sam Hartman played in an NFL regular-season game?
According to available reporting, Hartman had not appeared in a regular-season NFL game as of November 2026.
Final Thoughts
Sam Hartman's announcement as the next Bachelor is an unusual development in professional sports and reality television.
After building his reputation as a quarterback at Wake Forest and Notre Dame and pursuing an NFL career with Washington, Hartman is preparing for a very different challenge. Instead of competing for a spot on the football field, he will meet 30 women while looking for a lasting relationship.
With The Bachelor Season 30 scheduled to premiere on March 21, 2027, viewers will soon get to know a different side of the 27-year-old quarterback.