2006: Redshirted… Keller began fall practice at Arizona State, but made the decision to transfer to Nebraska in late August. He sat out the 2006 season under NCAA transfer rules, but played a key role during Nebraska’s game preparations. Keller unselfishly guided the Husker scout team and was NU’s offensive scout team player of the year.

Prior to Nebraska: Keller was on his way to a record-breaking 2005 campaign at Arizona State before suffering a season-ending hand injury midway through the year. Keller threw for 2,165 yards and 20 touchdowns despite starting only the season’s first seven games. Keller threw for four touchdowns in each of the first four games of the season, totaling 16 scores and just two interceptions. He posted back-to-back 400-yard outings against LSU (461 yards) and Northwestern (409 yards) in the second and third games of the season, and came back with 300-plus yard efforts against Oregon State and top-ranked USC. In that four-game stretch, Keller totaled 1,582 yards passing. Keller finished his junior season with a 145.78 quarterback efficiency rating. As a sophomore in 2004, Keller served as the backup to senior starter Andrew Walter, now a quarterback with the Oakland Raiders. Keller appeared in six games and threw for 606 yards and five touchdowns with just one interception. Keller earned his first career start in the Sun Bowl against Purdue and made the most of his opportunity. He completed 25-of-45 passes for 370 yards and three touchdowns, directing the Sun Devils’ fourth-quarter comeback. For his efforts, Keller was named the Most Valuable Player in the contest. Keller played in six games as a freshman in 2003 and threw for 247 yards and a touchdown. He saw his most extensive action against UCLA and threw for 79 yards.

High School: At San Ramon Valley High in Danville, Calif., Keller won first-team all-league honors in both 2001 and 2002 and concluded his high school career with a 23-10-2 record in three years as a starter. His statistics for his senior campaign included a 10-3 record after completing 210-of-333 attempts for 3,282 yards and 38 touchdowns with only five interceptions. Keller’s best game during his 35-consecutive game reign as the Wolves’ starter was a 444-yard, five touchdown effort against rival Monte Vista High School. He was rated as the ninth-best quarterback prospect in the nation for 2003 by Rivals.com. Also a four-year starter for San Ramon Valley in basketball, Keller was coached by Dave Kravitz in football.

Personal: Born on Sept. 28, 1984. His mother and stepdad are Melissa and Bob Coveney, and his father and stepmother are Mike and Kimberly Keller. Sam’s younger sister, Gabrielle Parisella, is a freshman soccer student-athlete at Loyola Marymount University. Mike was an All-American defensive end for Michigan, lettering from 1969 to 1971, and was a third-round NFL draft pick by the Dallas Cowboys. Sam’s uncle, Tom Keller, also played for Michigan. Sam is majoring in political science and is on track to pick up his degree in December. He was a part of Nebraska’s spring visit to the Omaha Children’s Hospital.