Sam Sawyer, younger brother of Gary Sawyer (Plymouth Argyle and Exeter City), was at Exeter City with the U-15s development squad at the Centre of Excellence in 2007/08. He then became an apprentice at Plymouth Argyle at which time brother Gary told the BBC:  

"Sam's really committed and he's like me in that sense because he's a good hard working lad with a good head on his shoulders and fingers crossed he'll do really well." 

After being released by Argyle, Sam played for Bideford before taking up a scholarship at Florida Tech in 2013 where he played in university football for the Florida Tech Panthers until 2017 in his customary position as a central defender. 

Sam remained in Florida upon graduating, and after working as a games operator and logistics co-ordinator, was of 2023 an executive charter consultant living in Melbourne, Florida. He was also coaching at the nearby Brevard Soccer Academy.