What is Sam Hartman’s Net Worth and Salary?
Sam Hartman is an American professional quarterback and reality television personality with an estimated net worth of $1 million.
Before entering reality television, Hartman built a reputation as one of college football’s most recognizable quarterbacks. He spent five seasons at Wake Forest, where he set the Atlantic Coast Conference record for career touchdown passes, before transferring to Notre Dame for the 2023 season. He helped the Fighting Irish finish 10-3 and completed his college career with 15,656 passing yards and 134 touchdowns, numbers that rank among the most productive totals in NCAA history. Hartman went undrafted in 2024 but signed with the Washington Commanders, spending the following seasons largely on the team’s practice squad. His long hair, full beard, and strong social media presence also helped him attract endorsement partnerships with companies such as Under Armour, Beats by Dre, and Dollar Shave Club. In November 2026, ABC revealed that Hartman would headline the 30th season of “The Bachelor,” which is set to debut in March 2027. The casting introduced him to an even wider audience and created an unusual second chapter for an athlete who had not yet played in a regular-season NFL game.
Early Life
Sam Hartman was born on July 29, 1999, in Charlotte, North Carolina. He is the youngest of Mark and Lisa Hartman’s three sons. His father, an orthopedic spine surgeon, played college football and later spent years coaching young athletes. His mother worked as a nurse. With football deeply woven into family life, Hartman grew up learning the value of preparation, discipline, and perseverance.
He attended Davidson Day School in Davidson, North Carolina, where his quarterback skills quickly stood out. For his senior year, Hartman moved to Oceanside Collegiate Academy in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. Over the course of his high school career, he passed for 9,481 yards and 98 touchdowns, including 3,093 yards and 29 touchdowns in his final season.
Even with those impressive numbers, recruiting services viewed Hartman as a three-star prospect rather than a top-tier national recruit. He received scholarship offers from Wake Forest, Charlotte, and Elon, ultimately selecting Wake Forest and enrolling there in January 2018.
“QB1: Beyond the Lights”
Hartman reached a national television audience before beginning his college career. He appeared in the second season of “QB1: Beyond the Lights,” a documentary series that followed highly regarded high school quarterbacks through the pressures of football, school, family, and the recruiting process.
The program chronicled Hartman’s senior year at Oceanside Collegiate Academy and offered viewers a look at his intense competitive nature and family life. Appearing on the show also gave him early experience with television cameras—something that would later prove valuable when he became the star of “The Bachelor.”
Hartman arrived at Wake Forest in 2018 and quickly entered the competition for the starting job. As a true freshman, he won the position and threw for 1,984 yards and 16 touchdowns over nine games before a leg injury ended his season. His role was reduced in 2019, but he eventually regained the starting position and continued to progress under head coach Dave Clawson.
His defining college season came in 2021. Hartman guided Wake Forest to an 11-3 record and the ACC Championship Game, passing for 4,228 yards and 39 touchdowns while adding 11 scores on the ground. His 50 total touchdowns ranked among the best single-season marks in ACC history, earning him second-team All-ACC honors.
Wake Forest fell to Pittsburgh in the conference title game, but the Demon Deacons bounced back to defeat Rutgers in the Gator Bowl. Hartman was named the bowl’s Most Valuable Player, further establishing himself as one of the nation’s premier college quarterbacks.
He returned in 2022 and added 3,701 passing yards and 38 touchdowns. Hartman completed his Wake Forest career with 12,967 passing yards and 110 touchdown passes, setting the ACC’s career record for passing touchdowns. He also became the school’s all-time leader in several major passing categories and received the ACC’s 2022 Brian Piccolo Award.
Medical Scare and Recovery
Hartman’s college career was placed on hold in August 2022 after he developed a blood clot in his subclavian vein. Doctors diagnosed him with Paget-Schroetter syndrome, a condition involving the blood vessels near the shoulder and upper chest. Treatment included procedures to remove the clot and relieve pressure on the vein, as well as surgery to remove a rib.
The health scare raised questions about whether Hartman would be able to return that season. He recovered faster than expected, was cleared to play in September, and missed only Wake Forest’s opener.
The unusual medical episode drew widespread attention after Hartman revealed that he had asked his mother to keep the removed rib. She later had it made into a necklace, adding an especially memorable detail to his college football story.
Notre Dame and Final College Season
Hartman transferred to Notre Dame in January 2023 for the final season of his college eligibility. The move placed him at one of the sport’s most prominent programs and gave him a much larger national platform.
Named a team captain, Hartman made an immediate impact in Notre Dame’s season-opening win over Navy in Dublin, Ireland. He threw four touchdown passes and was selected as the game’s MVP. By season’s end, he had produced 2,689 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and eight interceptions while helping the Fighting Irish post a 10-3 record.
Notre Dame named him its Most Valuable Player, and he finished as a finalist for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. Across six seasons at Wake Forest and Notre Dame, Hartman totaled 15,656 passing yards and 134 touchdown passes.
Washington Commanders and NFL Career
Hartman entered the 2024 NFL Draft but was not selected. Soon afterward, he signed with the Washington Commanders as an undrafted free agent. His new quarterback room included second overall pick Jayden Daniels and veteran Marcus Mariota.
He took part in training camp and preseason action but did not win a place on Washington’s 53-man roster. Instead, Hartman spent most of his rookie campaign on the practice squad, preparing with the team and continuing to develop behind the scenes.
Hartman stayed with Washington in 2025 and returned for the team’s 2026 training camp. The Commanders released him during their final roster cuts in August 2026, then brought him back to the practice squad the next day.
When ABC announced his casting on “The Bachelor” in November 2026, Hartman had still not appeared in an NFL regular-season game.
NFL Contracts and Salary
Following the 2024 draft, Hartman signed a three-year rookie contract with Washington that could have been worth as much as $2.85 million. The maximum value, however, did not mean that the entire amount was guaranteed.
The agreement guaranteed $245,000, made up of a $20,000 signing bonus and $225,000 in guaranteed base salary. Since Hartman did not remain on the active roster under the original terms, he did not receive the contract’s full advertised value.
NFL contract database Over the Cap reported that Hartman’s total career earnings through the 2025 season reached $987,167. His 2026 practice-squad deal carried a full-season value of $247,500 and included no guaranteed compensation.
The numbers highlight the wide financial gap between established NFL quarterbacks and players whose professional careers are spent primarily on practice squads. Hartman’s college profile and national recognition have also helped him build income through endorsement work outside of football salaries.
NIL Deals and Endorsement Earnings
Hartman was one of many prominent college quarterbacks to benefit from the NCAA’s name, image, and likeness rules. He began pursuing endorsement opportunities during his later years at Wake Forest and expanded his commercial portfolio after joining Notre Dame.
His brand partners included Under Armour, Beats by Dre, Dollar Shave Club, Dove, Wahl Grooming, Bojangles, Topps, and Homefield Apparel. The Under Armour agreement stood out because Hartman became the first Notre Dame athlete to receive an individual endorsement deal from the company. He also promoted the brand by giving Under Armour shoes and Beats headphones to teammates.
Hartman’s signature beard made him a natural fit for Dollar Shave Club. His endorsement opportunities were handled by the sports agency VaynerSports.
In January 2024, sports business outlet On3 estimated Hartman’s NIL value at $1.2 million, placing him among the highest-valued college athletes on its list. The estimate reflected his marketing potential and was not a confirmed tally of the money he actually received from endorsements.
“The Bachelor”
ABC announced on November 13, 2026, that Hartman would lead the 30th season of its long-running dating franchise, “The Bachelor.” The news was revealed during an appearance on “Good Morning America,” with the new season scheduled to premiere on March 21, 2027.
Hartman’s casting broke from the franchise’s usual pattern. Unlike many recent leads, he had never appeared on “The Bachelorette,” the program that has traditionally introduced future “Bachelor” stars. ABC instead chose an active professional football player known for his college career and sizable following.
During the announcement, Hartman said he initially turned down the opportunity because he was uncertain about the show’s public image. A discussion with host Jesse Palmer—a former NFL quarterback who appeared as “The Bachelor” in 2004—helped persuade him to reconsider.
Hartman said he looked forward to the possibility of finding a serious relationship but felt nervous about dating 30 women at once. He described his ideal partner as someone ambitious, competitive, caring, and driven by goals of her own.
His season also gives ABC a chance to revive the flagship series following a lengthy gap. The most recent season of “The Bachelor,” led by Grant Ellis, aired in early 2025, while a planned 2026 edition of “The Bachelorette” was canceled before it premiered.
Personal Life
Hartman remains close to his parents and brothers, who have supported him throughout his football journey. In 2015, the family suffered the loss of Demitri Allison, a close family friend who had lived with the Hartmans and was regarded as another brother. Allison died by suicide. Hartman has kept his memory alive by wearing Allison’s initials on a wristband and selecting jersey number 10, the number Allison wore as a football player.
Hartman has largely avoided discussing his romantic life publicly. During a 2024 podcast appearance, he confirmed that he had dated a Wake Forest soccer player but did not reveal her identity. His role on “The Bachelor” later placed his pursuit of a long-term relationship at the center of public attention.
Beyond football, Hartman has emphasized the importance of family, self-improvement, and resilience. His health challenges, the death of someone close to him, and the uncertainty that comes with professional sports have all shaped his perspective.
All net worth figures are based on information gathered from publicly available sources. When possible, we also consider private tips and comments from celebrities or their representatives. Although every effort is made to keep the figures accurate, they remain estimates unless specifically stated otherwise. Corrections and feedback are welcome through the button below.
