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Sam Maxwell Signs With New Orleans Saints

It was about a year ago at this time, during 2009 spring practice, that former University of Kentucky football coach Rich Brooks predicted stardom for linebacker Sam Maxwell.

Posted: 2:14 PM May 10, 2010

Reporter: UK Media Relations

LEXINGTON, Ky. – It was about a year ago at this time, during 2009 spring practice, that former University of Kentucky football coach Rich Brooks predicted stardom for linebacker Sam Maxwell.

Having shared the strongside linebacker post with Johnny Williams in the 2006-08 seasons, Maxwell had the spot to himself during his senior year and definitely fulfilled Brooks’ forecast. Maxwell turned in an outstanding season in ’09 and will have an opportunity to play professional football after signing a free-agent contract with the Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints.

Despite being relatively unknown outside of UK prior to his senior year, Maxwell made a name for himself by earning second-team All-Southeastern Conference honors during his final season. He started all 12 regular-season games, totaling 80 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 quarterback sacks and caused two fumbles.

Most important were Maxwell’s six interceptions, most ever in one season by a Wildcat linebacker, along with seven pass breakups. He tied for the SEC lead for interceptions per game and was sixth in the league in total passes defended per game, remarkable feats for a linebacker.

Maxwell got his breakout season started early. He nabbed an interception late in the 31-27 win over Louisville and knocked down a pass on the final play of the game to preserve the win over the Cardinals. He had a then-career best 10 tackles in the upset win at Auburn, UK’s first victory vs. the Tigers in 43 years.

Read the whole thing (here is the link to the article from the local Louisville KY news channel website):

Sam Maxwell Signs With New Orleans Saints