As part of our ongoing Alumnae Series, we had the pleasure of catching up with former Webber student Sam Oram-Jones, whose extraordinary journey has taken him from the classrooms of Milton Keynes to the professional arenas of American football across three continents. Sam’s story is one of ambition, independence and global opportunity—making him a truly inspirational figure for current and future Webber students. In this feature, we delve into his path through elite sport, international education, and multi-disciplinary success, and reflect on how his time at Webber laid the foundation for it all.
Sam is currently playing professional American football, having carved a unique path that’s made history. He’s the first person ever to play at university level in the UK, progress to college football in the US, and then turn professional—a true testament to his hard work and dedication. Alongside his football career, he also works in government consulting, specifically in technology roles with clients such as the Cabinet Office and UKRI. On top of that, Sam continues to work in professional sports timing across the UK and Europe—something he’s been involved in since his GCSE years here at Webber.
Despite juggling multiple careers, sport is Sam’s central focus at present. A long-time fan of the NFL, he supports the Denver Broncos—though, as he admits with a laugh, it’s not the easiest time to be a fan. There’s also a strong crossover between his love for sport and his expanding content work. Recently, Sam began collaborating with DAZN, starting with the Super Bowl and now building toward on-the-ground content for events like the NFL London Games. For him, it’s a perfect blend of sport, digital content and cultural reach. As he explains, the modern media landscape values clicks and shareability more than ever—so platforms like DAZN are keen to capitalise on unique voices. Sam also reflects on the cultural fascination Americans have with exporting their sports abroad. From NFL to MLB and now even Formula One, global expansion is seen as a badge of honour. It’s a sharp contrast to how UK fans often respond to talk of overseas fixtures for football clubs—many with mixed feelings. For Americans, global reach is the “American dream” in motion: spreading national culture and showcasing excellence to a worldwide audience.
A Webber Education: The Foundations of Independence
Sam attended the Webber from 2009 to 2016, beginning in Year 7 and finishing in Year 13. His school experience was far from ordinary. In his early years, Sam was part of the McLaren Junior Programme for motorsport and frequently travelled across the country. Despite that, he thrived academically thanks to the school’s emphasis on independent learning. Sam credits Webber with teaching him how to work independently—something that set him apart at university. When he arrived at Durham to study Business Management, he realised many peers struggled without spoon-fed guidance. In contrast, he had already learned how to teach himself and manage his own learning. He recalls reading the entire textbook for his game theory module during the first weekend of term. When he asked the professor what more he could do, the response was: “Email me about your PhD when you’re ready.” He would go on to finish first in his course and be named valedictorian.
From Durham to the World Stage
After graduating from Durham, Sam moved to the United States to pursue a Master’s in Financial Mathematics at Vanderbilt University, which at the time was ranked #1 globally for that course. From there, he went on to the University of Southern California for a second Master’s in Entrepreneurship and Innovation—again, a top-ranked programme. He continued to play football throughout and went on to play professionally in the Canadian Football League, NFL Europe, and most recently in Japan—where he became the first non-American player signed to one of the professional teams under its strict import player policy. At the same time, Sam maintained his parallel careers in tech consulting and professional sports timing. He began the latter at just 16, a role usually reserved for much older professionals, and has managed large-scale televised events such as the international mixed relays for the BBC.
University in the UK vs. the USA
Sam frequently gets asked about the differences between UK and US universities. In his view, the UK focuses on teaching the subject, while the US system is built to make students employable. At Vanderbilt, for example, around 80% of students on his course secured jobs on Wall Street before even finishing the programme. In the UK, such direct career pathways are far less common. The American system emphasises return on investment—particularly because of the high fees—and this drives a culture of aggressive career preparation and networking. This difference extends to sport as well. In the UK, even the most talented athletes may simply continue to play for their local clubs with limited support. In contrast, the US collegiate system offers full-ride scholarships, monthly stipends, housing and international exposure through televised matches. For young women in particular, the opportunities are immense thanks to Title IX, which mandates equal funding for women’s and men’s sports at universities. Sam describes it simply: if you’re a high-performing young athlete—particularly a woman—then the US college system should be your number one goal.
Highlights, Challenges, and Lasting Lessons
Among his proudest moments, Sam points to signing professionally in Japan—a unique achievement—and managing televised international timing events. In consulting, leading a Department of Health tech overhaul during the COVID-19 pandemic was particularly meaningful. Yet the path hasn’t always been smooth. He recalls being rejected by Durham University for his first-choice course. But instead of giving up, he called the admissions office and asked for feedback—a mindset instilled in him at Webber. That single call led to an alternative offer and set him on a trajectory that would eventually take him across three continents in professional sport. The mindset of opening doors, even when they appear closed, is something Sam learned at Webber—and one of the most valuable lessons he continues to carry with him.
Lasting Impact of a Webber Education
Even today, Sam often finds himself applying concepts he learned at Webber. Whether it’s business models, partnership structures, or financial statement analysis, he regularly encounters professionals in industry who don’t know what he learned at 16. This foundation, he says, has proven invaluable throughout his working life. If he could give advice to current Webber students, it would be simple: don’t limit yourself to the UK. The Webber education opens doors, but it’s up to each student to walk through them. Explore every opportunity—especially those abroad. Sam also reflects that if he could speak to his younger self, he’d encourage himself to adopt the driven attitude he had in his final two years at Webber much earlier. “If I’d taken that mindset in Year 7,” he says, “everything would have been a breeze by Year 11.”
Favourite Memories and Final Words
Sam’s favourite memory from Webber? Winning the Victor Ludorum in 2016. He’d placed second multiple times in earlier years and finally got his name on the trophy in Year 13. Now, as a professional athlete, it’s a full-circle moment that still brings a smile. In closing, Sam’s story is a powerful example of what’s possible when ambition meets opportunity—and how an early foundation of independence, critical thinking, and global perspective can change everything. For current Webber students, especially those with dreams of international careers or elite sports, Sam’s journey shows that with the right mindset, the world is well within reach.
It is always a pleasure to catch up with our Alumnae and learn on how they continue to flourish since leaving Webber. If you would like to be featured in our next edition of the Alumnae Series, please do send us an email at marketing@webberindependentschool.co.uk.
