FB Roush action photo used 4-24-26FB Roush action photo used 4-24-26
Karen Hickey / ISI Photos
Football

Roush Heading to Chicago

Eighth Stanford tight end drafted in the last 15 years

PITTSBURGH — Stanford tight end Sam Roush was drafted Friday by the Chicago Bears in the third round with the 69th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. He becomes the 283rd Cardinal to be drafted and the 58th since 2010, the fourth most among ACC schools.

Roush put together the best season of his career and is among the best tight ends in the country, restoring Stanford's moniker of Tight End U. Roush compiled 49 receptions for 545 yards with a pair of touchdowns, setting career highs across the board. He led ACC tight ends in receiving yards and tied for the most receptions. Nationally, Roush tied for seventh in receptions and tenth in receiving yards at his position.

He became just the eighth different Cardinal tight end since 1995 to eclipse 100 receiving yards in a game when he racked up 104 yards against Pittsburgh. Roush also showed his ability to turn intermediate routes into big plays. He had two catches of at least 50 yards this season, one of just five tight ends in the nation and the only tight end in the ACC to do so.

Roush capped off his collegiate career playing every game across his four seasons on The Farm, starting 34, including his final 30 games. He piled up 119 receptions for 1,201 receiving yards with four touchdowns. Since 1956, only Coby Fleener, Zach Ertz, Benjamin Yurosek, Bob Moore, and Alex Smith had more career receiving yards among Stanford tight ends.

Off the field, Roush is a Go Bowling Military Bowl STEM Scholar-Athlete, a member of the ACC All-Academic Team, and an Academic All-District selection from College Sports Communicators. He is wrapping up his master’s degree in computer science, focusing his studies on artificial intelligence, finance, and innovation in computer engineering.

Roush becomes the 16th Stanford tight end selected in the NFL Draft since 1970, and eighth in the last 15 years. The most recent Stanford tight end chosen in the NFL Draft was Colby Parkinson in 2020 to the Seahawks. He is the highest Stanford draft pick since Walker Little in 2021 (45th overall). In the draft, Roush is the fifth tight end selected.

When Roush makes his NFL debut, he will become the 21st Cardinal tight end in the NFL since 1970.