Sam Cozart, a 6‑foot‑6 right‑hander for the Texas Longhorns, has been selected as a finalist for the 21st annual Stopper of the Year Award, a honor that recognizes the nation’s most dominant reliever.
What makes his candidacy stand out is that he is the first freshman ever to reach the final round, a testament to his immediate impact in his debut season.
Across Division I play Cozart sits atop the leaderboard in WHIP at 0.72 and limits opponents to a .137 batting average, while his 1.72 earned run average places him second nationally.
A Historic Milestone for a Freshman
He also boasts a 6‑0 record with eight saves, the second‑most among freshmen nationwide, and has struck out 67 batters in 47 innings of work.
In conference play his dominance sharpened, as he posted a 1.01 ERA and a 0.64 WHIP, outpacing every other pitcher in the SEC.
The recognition extends beyond the Stopper award; Cozart is also a finalist for the Baseball America National Freshman of the Year Award, underscoring his all‑around rookie excellence.
His rise comes as the Longhorns look to build on a promising season, with veterans such as J. Brent Cox and Chance Ruffin providing depth, while alumni like Corey Knebel, Dylan Volantis and Jackson Flora continue to influence the program’s culture.
The award ceremony, scheduled later this month, will spotlight not only Cozart’s individual achievements but also the growing prominence of collegiate baseball in the national sports landscape.