The Bachelor has officially chosen a new lead to hand out roses on season 30.
NFL quarterback Sam Hartman was announced as the season 30 Bachelor on Friday, November 13, joining Good Morning America with a football in hand. The 27-year-old opened up about how he got involved in the reality dating show, admitting he had some hesitation at first.
“Honestly, at first I was like, ‘No way,’” he said. “I got really lucky and talked to Jesse Palmer and he kind of gave me the insight, what it is and what it’s not.”
Despite his initial fears, Hartman added that he couldn’t pass up the chance to find the love of his life. “When people are saying ‘I do,’ they don’t ask where you met, they just ask if you wanna do it forever,” he continued. “I don’t see any problem with that.”
When it comes to how he’ll approach dating multiple women at once, Hartman said he’s “very nervous.”
“I have a tough time having a conversation with one girl, [so] 30 is gonna be pretty tough,” he joked. “I’m excited but also very nervous.”
Hartman’s family is also excited to see how his journey will play out. “My mom and I have a really cool relationship, my pops is just supportive,” he said. “Their big thing is just being myself and enjoy the experience. Trust your instincts and trust your gut.”
As for what he’s looking for in a partner, Hartman said he likes “competitiveness” — but not necessarily in an athletic way. He explained that he’s a fan of the chase.
“Not chase in a way that you haven’t texted me back in a week, but chase in a way that they have a drive for something that motivates me to wake up every day and chase them,” Hartman said. “Also a part of that is compassion and some type of caregiving. My whole family is in the medical field … seeing them do so much for other people, I think that’s a huge part.”
Hartman played college football for both the Wake Forest Demon Deacons and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish before signing with the Washington Commanders in 2024 as an undrafted free agent.
Fans will be able to watch the football star’s journey to finding The One when The Bachelor returns in March 2027.
His casting comes after ABC pulled Taylor Frankie Paul‘s season 22 of The Bachelorette days before it was expected to premiere in March amid reports of a domestic violence incident involving her ex Dakota Mortensen. It remains unclear whether the network will eventually release the episodes.
