The rare athlete who mastered both the ground and the air
In short: In the history of Ohio State football, only one player has achieved a specific dual milestone: surpassing 1,000 career yards in both rushing and receiving. Curtis Samuel’s journey from a Brooklyn high school standout to an NFL veteran is a masterclass in positional versatility and explosive speed.
Before his professional career, Samuel was a dominant force at Erasmus Hall High School in Brooklyn. During his junior year, he rushed for 1,047 yards and 13 touchdowns, averaging 11.5 yards per carry. His senior season saw even greater efficiency, as he averaged 15.8 yards per rush across 1,461 yards and 17 touchdowns. His athleticism extended to the track, where he clocked a 6.44-second 55-meter sprint at the New York State championships. The 2013 New York Gatorade Player of the Year award was among his secondary school honours. He also earned the New York Daily News City Player of the Year title in 2012.
At Ohio State, playing under head coach Urban Meyer, Samuel cemented his legacy. While his 2014 season focused on rushing with 383 yards, his 2016 campaign showcased his evolution into a premier receiving threat. That year, he recorded 771 rushing yards and 865 receiving yards, earning All-American and first-team All-Big Ten honors. This performance made him the sole player in Buckeyes history to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark in both categories. During the 2015 season, he contributed 289 receiving yards and two touchdowns to the Buckeyes' roster. He also helped the team secure the 2015 College Football Playoff National Championship.
The NFL presented a pivotal moment during the 2017 draft process. Despite his collegiate success as a running back, Samuel transitioned to wide receiver during the NFL Combine. This shift led the Carolina Panthers to select him in the second round, 40th overall. His professional career has since spanned multiple franchises, including the Washington Commanders and the Buffalo Bills, marked by significant contracts and periods of injury recovery. The Panthers originally signed him to a four-year deal worth $6.45 million in 2017. Later, in 2021, he joined the Washington Football Team on a much larger $34.5 million contract.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Curtis Samuel
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