Once upon a time, there was a talented athlete from St. Louis with strong family roots in West Africa. He visited the University of Georgia for the first time on an April recruiting trip.

He was seen as one of the nation’s finest athletes. Coming off a season in which he played as much at tight end and receiver as he did on defense. This was for the most talented high school football team in America.

His name was Samuel, but his friends call him Sam. Everyone took his picture while he wore an eye-catching brown hat. Some wondered if he was also an expert fisherman. The Bulldogs saw their chances rise even higher after that visit.

For the sake of accuracy, that “once upon a time” stuff up above just doesn’t fit. Because something like that has never happened before.

Until this past weekend at G-Day.

Sam M’Pemba (Em-PEMBA) wore a slick brown Bass Pro Shops hat and an old-school UGA sweatshirt. He smiled a lot, learned a lot and will be back in Athens soon.

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