Former college football standout and Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Hartman is heading to reality television. ABC has selected the 27-year-old athlete as the lead for Season 30 of The Bachelor, marking an unexpected new chapter in his career.
The announcement was made Friday, November 13, during an appearance on ABC’s Good Morning America. Hartman will take center stage as 30 women compete for an opportunity to build a romantic relationship with him.
Hartman admitted that the idea of dating 30 women in front of television cameras initially made him nervous. He joked that holding conversations with that many women could be challenging, particularly when even talking to one person can sometimes be difficult.
Despite his initial hesitation, he eventually agreed to join the popular dating franchise. A conversation with host Jesse Palmer helped him understand the opportunity, while encouragement from his parents and teammates also played a role in his decision.
Hartman said he is approaching the experience with an open mind and hopes to find a meaningful, lasting relationship. His football background has taught him about teamwork, commitment and handling pressure, but reality television will present a very different challenge.
The casting is also an interesting career development for Hartman, who built his reputation through college football before entering the NFL. He played five seasons at Wake Forest from 2018 through 2022 before transferring to Notre Dame for the 2023 season.
During his college career, he established himself as one of the ACC’s notable quarterbacks. He finished with 134 passing touchdowns, setting an ACC career record, and recorded 15,656 passing yards across his college appearances.
After declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft, Hartman went undrafted and signed with the Washington Commanders as a free agent. He spent time with the team’s practice squad and continued competing for opportunities within the organization.
His appearance on The Bachelor is not his first experience in front of reality television cameras. Hartman previously appeared in the second season of the football documentary series QB1: Beyond the Lights, which followed the lives of high school quarterbacks.
ABC has scheduled the 30th season of The Bachelor to premiere on March 21, 2027. New episodes are expected to stream on Hulu the day after their television broadcast.
The announcement also marks a significant return for the franchise after a lengthy break and changes surrounding its programming schedule. Hartman’s selection brings a professional football connection to the long-running dating series.
For Hartman, the upcoming season will offer a chance to introduce himself to a much wider audience beyond football fans. Viewers will see whether his experience as a quarterback translates into finding the right partner away from the field.
