Asante Samuel Jr.

Last updated

Asante Samuel Jr.
Asante Samuel Jr. Ravens vs Chargers - 51603164290 OCT2021 (cropped).jpg
Samuel with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2021
No. 26 – Los Angeles Chargers
Position: Cornerback
Personal information
Born: (1999-10-03) October 3, 1999 (age 25)
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S.
Height:5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight:180 lb (82 kg)
Career information
High school: St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)
College: Florida State (2018–2020)
NFL draft: 2021  / round: 2 / pick: 47
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 4, 2024
Total tackles:176
Fumble recoveries:1
Pass deflections:37
Interceptions:6
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Asante Tyrell Samuel Jr. (born October 3, 1999) is an American professional football cornerback for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Florida State [1] and was selected by the Chargers in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft. [2]

Contents

Early life

Samuel was born on October 3, 1999, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida [3] to Asante Samuel Sr. and Candice Doe. [4] Samuel credits his grandmother, Christine Samuel, for helping raise him and being an important person in his life. [5] When he was 14, his mother was diagnosed with a brain tumor. [6] Following surgery, his mother recovered from the brain tumor. [7]

Samuel played high school football at St. Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. [8] He was a four-star recruit coming out of high school and committed to Florida State to play college football. [9] [10]

College recruiting information
NameHometownHigh school / collegeHeightWeightCommit date
Asante Samuel Jr.
CB
Fort Lauderdale, Florida St. Thomas Aquinas High School 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)170 lb (77 kg)Apr 13, 2017 
Star ratings: Rivals: 4 stars.svg     247Sports: 4 stars.svg     ESPN: 4 stars.svg
Overall recruiting rankings:   Rivals: 46 (#6 CB, #12 FL)   247Sports: 168 (#16 CB, #21 FL)   ESPN: 14 (#3 CB, #5 FL)
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "2018 Team Ranking". Rivals.com.

College career

As a sophomore in 2019, Samuel was named to the third-team All-ACC team after recording 48 tackles, one interception, and 14 pass breakups. [11] [12] As a junior in 2020, he was named to the first-team All-ACC team. [13]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 10+18 in
(1.78 m)
180 lb
(82 kg)
30+18 in
(0.77 m)
8+78 in
(0.23 m)
4.41 s1.50 s2.56 s4.09 s6.98 s35.0 in
(0.89 m)
10 ft 4 in
(3.15 m)
12 reps
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day [14] [15]

Samuel was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers in the second round (47th overall) of the 2021 NFL draft. [16] On May 12, 2021, Samuel signed with the Chargers on a deal worth just over $7 million. [17] He recorded his first career interception in week 2 against the Dallas Cowboys. [18] He was Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week in back-to-back weeks, weeks 2 and 3. [19] As a rookie, he appeared in and started 12 games. He finished with 43 total tackles (33 solo), two interceptions, and 11 passes defended. [20]

Samuel recorded his first interception of the 2022 season in week 1 against the Las Vegas Raiders. [21] In the 2022 season, Samuel appeared in all 17 games and started 15. He finished with 57 total tackles (48 solo), two interceptions, and 11 passes defended. [22] In the Wild Card Round of the playoffs, Samuel recorded three interceptions in the first half in the team's 31–30 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. [23] [24] In the 2023 season, Samuel recorded 63 tackles, two interceptions, and 13 passes defended. [25]

After four games, Samuel was placed on injured reserve for a shoulder injury on October 12, 2024. [26] [27]

Personal life

He is the son of former NFL cornerback Asante Samuel. [28]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Asante Samuel</span> American football player (born 1981)

Asante Tyrell Samuel Sr. is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He was born in Accra, Ghana and raised in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He played college football for the UCF Knights and was selected by the New England Patriots in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL draft. Samuel also played for the Philadelphia Eagles and Atlanta Falcons. He led the NFL twice in interceptions, in 2006 and 2009, and is considered one of the all-time greatest Patriots and cornerbacks. He is the father of Asante Samuel Jr., a cornerback who was drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Antonio Cromartie</span> American football player (born 1984)

Antonio Cromartie Sr. is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida State Seminoles and was selected in the first round by the San Diego Chargers in the 2006 NFL draft. He was selected to four Pro Bowls and was a first-team All-Pro in 2007 after leading the league in interceptions. He also played for the Arizona Cardinals, New York Jets and Indianapolis Colts. Cromartie holds the record for the longest scoring play in NFL history after returning a missed field goal 109 yards for a touchdown in 2007. After his playing career, he was a graduate assistant for the Texas A&M Aggies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Patrick Robinson (cornerback)</span> American football player (born 1987)

Patrick Robinson is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida State Seminoles, and was selected by the Saints in the first round of the 2010 NFL draft. Robinson has also played for the San Diego Chargers, Indianapolis Colts and Philadelphia Eagles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ronald Darby</span> American football player (born 1994)

Ronald Darby is an American professional football cornerback for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida State Seminoles and was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the second round of the 2015 NFL draft. He has also played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders, Denver Broncos, and Baltimore Ravens. A world-class sprinter during his high school years, Darby won medals at the 2011 World Youth Championships in Athletics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Xavier Rhodes</span> American football player (born 1990)

Xavier Rhodes is an American professional football cornerback who is a free agent. He played college football for the Florida State Seminoles, and was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the 2013 NFL draft. With the Vikings, Rhodes made three Pro Bowls and was a first-team All-Pro selection.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Casey Hayward</span> American football player (born 1989)

Casey Hayward Jr. is an American professional football cornerback who is a free agent. He played college football for the Vanderbilt Commodores. Hayward was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the second round of the 2012 NFL draft and has played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Packers, San Diego / Los Angeles Chargers, Las Vegas Raiders, and Atlanta Falcons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jalen Ramsey</span> American football player (born 1994)

Jalen Lattrel Ramsey is an American professional football cornerback for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida State Seminoles and was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars fifth overall in the 2016 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bryce Callahan</span> American football player (born 1991)

Bryce Jordan Callahan is an American former professional football cornerback. He played college football at Rice, and signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Desmond King (American football)</span> American football player (born 1994)

Desmond King II is an American professional football cornerback for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). He earned All-Pro honors in 2018 as both a defensive back and a punt returner. He played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes, and was a unanimous All-American. King was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL draft. He has also played for the Tennessee Titans and Pittsburgh Steelers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Derwin James</span> American football player (born 1996)

Derwin Alonzo James Jr. is an American professional football safety for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida State Seminoles. He was selected by the Chargers in the first round of the 2018 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">J. C. Jackson</span> American football player (born 1995)

Jerald Christopher Jackson is an American professional football cornerback. He played college football for the Maryland Terrapins and signed with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2018. Jackson earned Pro Bowl honors during the 2021 season and was part of the Patriots team that won a Super Bowl title in Super Bowl LIII. After his rookie contract expired in 2022, he joined the Chargers before being traded back to the Patriots in 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trayvon Mullen</span> American football player (born 1997)

Trayvon Sentell Mullen Jr. is an American professional football cornerback for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). Mullen was a highly recruited cornerback coming out of high school and was rated by ESPN as the number two cornerback in his class. He played college football at Clemson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rashad Fenton</span> American football player (born 1997)

Rashad Fenton is an American professional football cornerback. He played college football at South Carolina. He was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL draft.

Essang Bassey is an American professional football cornerback. He played college football at Wake Forest, and played high school football at Columbus High School in Columbus, Georgia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kristian Fulton</span> American football player (born 1998)

Kristian Michael Shaw Fulton is an American professional football cornerback for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at LSU and was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A. J. Terrell</span> American football player (born 1998)

Aundell Terrell Jr. is an American professional football cornerback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Clemson and was selected by the Falcons in the first round of the 2020 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elijah Molden</span> American football player (born 1999)

Elijah Monroe Molden is an American professional football safety for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Washington and was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the third round of the 2021 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Pierre</span> American football player (born 1996)

James Pierre Jr. is an American professional football cornerback for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida Atlantic Owls and signed with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2020. Pierre has also been a member of the Washington Commanders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dicaprio Bootle</span> American football player (born 1997)

Dicaprio Bootle is an American professional football cornerback. He played college football at Nebraska.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jarvis Brownlee Jr.</span> American football player (born 2001)

Jarvis Jever Brownlee Jr. is an American professional football cornerback for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida State Seminoles and the Louisville Cardinals.

References

  1. "Asante Samuel, Jr". Florida State Seminoles. July 13, 2018. Archived from the original on May 13, 2021. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
  2. Miller, Jeff (May 1, 2021). "Chargers pick cornerback, receiver, tight end on Day 2 of NFL draft". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  3. "Asante Samuel Jr. Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  4. "OSDB – Asante Samuel Jr. – Los Angeles Chargers". OSDB – Online Sports Database. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
  5. Miller, Jeff (September 11, 2021). "Asante Samuel Jr. has trouble learning from one former NFL player — his dad". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  6. Smith, Shelley (May 15, 2021). "Los Angeles Chargers second-rounder Asante Samuel Jr.'s inherited inspiration goes beyond famous father". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
  7. "Asante Samuel Jr". Florida State Seminoles. May 26, 2020. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
  8. Thomas, Stephen (March 22, 2021). "Cleveland Browns, Potential NFL Draft Target: Asante Samuel, Jr". 247sports.com. Retrieved April 7, 2021.
  9. "Asante Samuel Jr., Florida State Seminoles, Cornerback". 247Sports. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  10. Furones, David (December 22, 2017). "Asante Samuel Jr. stays loyal to commitment, signs with FSU". South Florida Sun Sentinel. Archived from the original on December 24, 2017. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  11. "Clemson Leads 2019 All-ACC Football Team". The ACC. December 3, 2019. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  12. "Asante Samuel, Jr". Florida State Seminoles. July 13, 2018. Archived from the original on May 13, 2021. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  13. "Tigers, Irish Lead All-ACC Football Team". The ACC. December 22, 2020. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
  14. "Asante Samuel Jr. Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
  15. "Asante Samuel Jr., Florida State, CB, 2021 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". draftscout.com. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
  16. Hayre, Chris (April 30, 2021). "Chargers Draft CB Asante Samuel Jr. With 47th Pick". Chargers.com. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
  17. Links, Zachary (May 12, 2021). "Chargers, Asante Samuel Jr. Agree to Deal". Pro Football Rumors. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  18. Robinson, Logan (September 19, 2021). "WATCH: Asante Samuel Jr. records first NFL career interception". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
  19. Peterson, Michael (July 18, 2022). "Asante Samuel Jr. named to list of 2nd-year players to rebound from injury in 2022". Bolts From The Blue. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
  20. "Asante Samuel 2021 Game Log". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  21. "Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers – September 11th, 2022". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  22. "Asante Samuel 2022 Game Log". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  23. "Wild Card – Los Angeles Chargers at Jacksonville Jaguars – January 14th, 2023". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  24. DeArdo, Bryan (January 15, 2023). "2023 NFL playoffs: Chargers' Asante Samuel Jr. makes history in first half of wild-card game vs. Jaguars". CBSSports.com. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  25. "Asante Samuel Jr. 2023 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
  26. Rhim, Kris (October 12, 2024). "Chargers place RB Gus Edwards, CB Asante Samuel Jr. on IR". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
  27. Roling, Chris (January 13, 2025). "Chargers' embattled CB finally breaks silence about injury". SI.com. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
  28. Kirshner, Alex (April 13, 2017). "Asante Samuel's son is already a top recruit, and he just picked FSU". SBNation.com. Retrieved October 9, 2022.