Samuel attended Erasmus Hall High School in Brooklyn, New York, where he played as a running back for the Dutchmen football team and also ran track. The program has produced two members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, former Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis and Chicago Bears quarterback Sid Luckman. Other famous alumni include two Nobel Prize winners, world chess championBobby Fischer and a number of actors and musicians including singers Barbra Streisand and Beverly Sills. As a junior, Samuel averaged 11.5 yards per carry while rushing for 1,047 yards and 13 touchdowns. Named New York Daily News city player of the year in 2012. In track, he won the 55 meters at the New York Statetrack and field championships with a blistering time of 6.44 seconds. In addition to his success as a running back, he also scored three receiving touchdowns and two punt return touchdowns. In his senior year, Samuel averaged an incredible 15.8 yards per rush for 1,461 yards and 17 touchdowns. Was named 2013 New York Gatorade Player of the Year and invited to U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
Recruiting
Samuel was ranked by Rivals.com as a four-star recruit and the ninth best wide receiver in his class. He committed to Ohio State University in August 2013. He enrolled at Ohio State in January 2014.
College career
Samuel attended and played college football at Ohio State, where he contributed in the 2014–2016 seasons under head coach Urban Meyer. In the 2014 season, he had 58 carries for 383 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns to go along with 11 receptions for 95 receiving yards. In the 2015 season, he had 17 carries for 132 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown to go along with 22 receptions for 289 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns. In the 2016 season, he had 97 carries for 771 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns to go along with 74 receptions for 865 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns. As an electrifying dual-threat, he was awarded 1st Team Big Ten and All-American honors. In Ohio State's illustrious history, which includes a record 7 Heisman Trophy winners, Samuel remains the only player to ever gain 1000+ career yards in both rushing and receiving.
Collegiate statistics
Professional career
The Carolina Panthers selected Samuel in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft. On May 5, 2017, the Panthers signed Samuel to a four-year, $6.45 million contract with $4.05 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $2.83 million. On September 17, 2017, in Week 2, Samuel had his first two career receptions, which went for seven yards, in a 9–3 victory over the Buffalo Bills. In Week 3, against the New Orleans Saints, he recorded a 31-yard rush on an end-around. On November 14, 2017, Samuel's rookie season abruptly ended after he suffered a left ankle injury during Monday Night Football against the Miami Dolphins in Week 10, in which the Panthers announced that his ankle would have surgery. He was placed on injured reserve on November 24, 2017. Overall, in his rookie season, he finished with 15 receptions for 115 receiving yards to go along with four carries for 64 rushing yards in nine games. In the 2018 season, Samuel scored his first career touchdown on October 7 against the New York Giants. Overall, he finished the 2018 season with 39 receptions for 494 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns. In addition, he had 84 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns on eight carries. In Week 3 of the 2019 season against the Arizona Cardinals, Samuel caught five passes for 53 yards and his first receiving touchdown of the season in the 38-20 win. Overall, in the 2019 season, he had 54 receptions for 627 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns to go along with 19 carries for 130 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown.
