Curtis Samuel

{{Short description|American football player (born 1996)}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2023}}

{{Infobox NFL biography

| name = Curtis Samuel

| image = Curtis Samuel Commanders vs Cowboys OCT2022 (cropped).jpg

| alt =

| caption = Samuel with the Washington Commanders in 2022

| current_team = Buffalo Bills

| number = 1

| position = Wide receiver

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1996|8|11|mf=y}}

| birth_place = Brooklyn, New York, U.S.

| death_date =

| death_place =

| height_ft = 5

| height_in = 11

| weight_lbs = 195

| high_school = Erasmus Hall (Brooklyn)

| college = Ohio State (2014–2016)

| draftyear = 2017

| draftround = 2

| draftpick = 40

| pastteams =

| status = Active

| highlights =

| statseason = 2024

| statweek =

| statlabel1 = Receptions

| statvalue1 = 348

| statlabel2 = Receiving yards

| statvalue2 = 3,636

| statlabel3 = Receiving touchdowns

| statvalue3 = 23

| statlabel4 = Rushing yards

| statvalue4 = 729

| statlabel5 = Rushing touchdowns

| statvalue5 = 7

| statlabel6 = Return yards

| statvalue6 = 430

| statlabel7 = Return touchdowns

| statvalue7 =

| pfr = S/SamuCu00

}}

Curtis Samuel (born August 11, 1996) is an American professional football wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes, winning the 2015 College Football Playoff National Championship and earning All-American honors in 2016. Samuel was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the second round of the 2017 NFL draft and played four seasons with them and three seasons with the Washington Commanders before joining the Bills in 2024.

{{TOClimit|limit=3}}

Early life

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.{{cite web |last=Braziller |first=Zach |date=December 23, 2017 |title=Erasmus Hall keeps sending football players to highest level |url=https://nypost.com/2017/12/23/erasmus-hall-keeps-sending-football-players-to-highest-level/ |access-date=November 1, 2018 |website=New York Post |language=en-US}} As a junior, Samuel averaged 11.5 yards per carry while rushing for 1,047 yards and 13 touchdowns. He was named New York Daily News City Player of the Year in 2012. In track, he won the 55 meters at the New York State track 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 15.8 yards per rush for 1,461 yards and 17 touchdowns. He was named the 2013 New York Gatorade Player of the Year and was invited to All-American Bowl.{{cite web |title=4 – Curtis Samuel |url=http://www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/curtis_samuel_883344.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827010559/http://www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/curtis_samuel_883344.html |archive-date=August 27, 2016 |access-date=September 6, 2016 |website=OhioStateBuckeyes.com |publisher=Ohio State University}}

College career

A 4-star running-back recruit, Samuel committed to play college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes.{{Cite web |title=Curtis Samuel, 2014 Wide Receiver |url=https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/2014/curtis-samuel-9712#school-interests |access-date=August 31, 2022 |website=Rivals.com}} He contributed in the 2014–2016 seasons under head coach Urban Meyer.{{cite web |title=Curtis Samuel College Stats |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/curtis-samuel-1.html |access-date=May 1, 2018 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} 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.{{cite web |title=Curtis Samuel 2014 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/curtis-samuel-1/gamelog/2014/ |access-date=May 1, 2018 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}

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.{{cite web |title=Curtis Samuel 2015 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/curtis-samuel-1/gamelog/2015/ |access-date=May 1, 2018 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}

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. He was awarded first-team All-Big Ten and All-American honors. Samuel is the only player in Ohio State history to ever gain over 1,000 career yards in both rushing and receiving.{{cite web |title=Curtis Samuel 2016 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/curtis-samuel-1/gamelog/2016/ |access-date=May 1, 2018 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}

=College statistics=

class=wikitable style="text-align:center;"
rowspan="2"| Season

! colspan="2"| Games

! colspan="4"| Rushing

! colspan="4"| Receiving

GPGSAttYardsAvgTDRecYardsAvgTD
colspan="11" style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Ohio State Buckeyes}}"| Ohio State Buckeyes
2014

| 14 || 1 || 58 || 383 || 6.6 || 6 || 11 || 95 || 8.6 || 0

2015

| 13 || 2 || 17 || 132 || 7.8 || 1 || 22 || 289 || 13.1 || 2

2016

| 13 || 12 || 97 || 771 || 7.9 || 8 || 74 || 865 || 11.7 || 7

[https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/curtis-samuel-1.html Career]

! 40

151721,2867.5151071,24911.79

Professional career

{{NFL predraft

| height ft = 5

| height in = 10 5/8

| weight = 196

| dash = 4.31

| ten split = 1.55

| twenty split = 2.56

| shuttle = 4.33

| cone drill = 7.09

| vertical = 37

| broad ft = 9

| broad in = 11

| bench = 18

| wonderlic = 22

| arm span = 31 1/4

| hand span = 9 1/2

| note = All values from NFL Combine.{{Cite web |last=Zierlein |first=Lance |title=Curtis Samuel Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/curtis-samuel/32005341-4d63-3285-ce5d-61e91947654e |access-date=2025-06-07 |website=NFL.com}}{{Cite web |last=McGinn |first=Bob |date=April 21, 2017 |title=Ranking the NFL draft prospects: Wide receivers, tight ends |url=https://www.packersnews.com/story/sports/nfl/packers/mcginn/2017/04/21/ranking-nfl-draft-prospects-wide-receivers-tight-ends/100718406/ |access-date=May 17, 2021 |website=Packers News}}}}

=Carolina Panthers=

==2017==

Prior to the NFL Draft, during the combine, Samuel switched to wide-receiver and thus was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the second round (40th overall) of the 2017 NFL draft.{{cite web |last=Henson |first=Max |date=April 28, 2017 |title=Panthers draft Curtis Samuel in second round |url=http://www.panthers.com/news/article-2/Panthers-draft-Curtis-Samuel-in-second-round/3590376f-99a7-4ddc-bd67-629c66e2982c |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170503072919/https://www.panthers.com/news/article-2/Panthers-draft-Curtis-Samuel-in-second-round/3590376f-99a7-4ddc-bd67-629c66e2982c |archive-date=May 3, 2017 |website=Panthers.com}} 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.{{cite web |title=Spotrac.com: Curtis Samuel contract |url=http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/carolina-panthers/curtis-samuel-21781/ |access-date=May 26, 2017 |website=Spotrac.com}}{{cite web |last=Biddle |first=Dave |date=May 5, 2017 |title=Curtis Samuel signs rookie contract |url=https://247sports.com/college/ohio-state/article/ohio-state-buckeyes-product-curtis-samuel-signs-with-carolina-panthers-52634599/ |access-date=May 5, 2017 |website=247 Sports}}

File:Curtis Samuel.jpg

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.{{cite web |title=Buffalo Bills at Carolina Panthers – September 17th, 2017 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201709170car.htm |access-date=October 14, 2017 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}} In Week 3, against the New Orleans Saints, he recorded a 31-yard rush on an end-around.{{cite web |title=New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers – September 24th, 2017 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201709240car.htm |access-date=November 5, 2017 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} 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.{{cite web |last=Patra |first=Kevin |date=November 14, 2017 |title=Curtis Samuel to undergo season-ending ankle surgery |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/curtis-samuel-to-undergo-season-ending-ankle-surgery-0ap3000000877480 |access-date=February 2, 2022 |website=NFL.com}} He was placed on injured reserve on November 24, 2017.{{cite web |last=Henson |first=Max |date=November 24, 2017 |title=Greg Olsen activated, Curtis Samuel placed on IR |url=https://www.panthers.com/news/greg-olsen-activated-curtis-samuel-placed-on-ir-19833976 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171126213332/https://www.panthers.com/news/article-2/Greg-Olsen-activated-Curtis-Samuel-placed-on-IR/a77b3cec-d386-4843-b2ee-a8a23c1f7091 |archive-date=November 26, 2017 |website=Panthers.com|access-date=February 2, 2022}} 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.{{cite web |title=Curtis Samuel 2017 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SamuCu00/gamelog/2017/ |access-date=May 1, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

==2018==

In the 2018 season, Samuel scored his first career touchdown on October 7 against the New York Giants.{{Cite news |last=Taranto |first=Steven |date=October 7, 2018 |title=Brooklyn native Curtis Samuel scores first NFL TD against Giants |language=en-US |work=247 Sports |url=https://247sports.com/nfl/carolina-panthers/Article/Curtis-Samuel-first-NFL-touchdown-123042015/ |access-date=November 1, 2018}} 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.{{cite web |title=Curtis Samuel 2018 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SamuCu00/gamelog/2018/ |access-date=March 6, 2019 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

==2019==

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.{{cite news |date=September 22, 2019 |title=Allen throws 4 TDs, Panthers beat Cardinals 38–20 |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=401127962 |access-date=September 22, 2019 |website=ESPN |agency=Associated Press}} 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.{{cite web |title=Curtis Samuel 2019 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SamuCu00/gamelog/2019/ |access-date=January 23, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

==2020==

In Week 9, against the Kansas City Chiefs, Samuel had nine receptions for 105 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown in the 33–31 loss.{{cite web |title=Carolina Panthers at Kansas City Chiefs – November 8th, 2020 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202011080kan.htm |access-date=November 13, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} In Week 11 against the Detroit Lions, Samuel recorded 8 catches for 70 yards, including the first touchdown pass thrown by quarterback P. J. Walker during the 20–0 win.{{cite web |title=Detroit Lions at Carolina Panthers – November 22nd, 2020 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202011220car.htm |access-date=November 28, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the Panthers on December 7, 2020,{{Cite web |last=Gantt |first=Darin |date=December 7, 2020 |title=Panthers place eight players on reserve/COVID list |url=https://www.panthers.com/news/panthers-place-eight-players-on-reserve-covid-list |access-date=January 14, 2021 |website=Panthers.com}} and activated on December 11.{{Cite web |last=Bryan |first=Will |date=December 11, 2020 |title=Three players activated from reserve/COVID-19 list |url=https://www.panthers.com/news/three-players-activated-from-reserve-covid-19-list |access-date=January 14, 2021 |website=Panthers.com}} In Week 17 against the New Orleans Saints, Samuel recorded seven catches for a season high 118 yards during the 33–7 loss.{{cite web |title=New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers – January 3rd, 2021 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202101030car.htm |access-date=January 7, 2021 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He finished the 2020 season with 77 receptions for 851 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns to go along with 41 carries for 200 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Curtis Samuel 2020 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SamuCu00/gamelog/2020/ |access-date=March 1, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

=Washington Football Team / Commanders=

==2021==

File:NFL 2021 - Washington at Falcons 279 (51557062530).jpg

Samuel signed a three-year, $34.5 million contract with the Washington Football Team on March 18, 2021.{{Cite web |last=Keim |first=John |last2=Newton |first2=David |date=March 18, 2021 |title=Source: WR Curtis Samuel signing 3-year, $34.5 million deal with Washington Football Team |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/31083563/source-wr-curtis-samuel-signing-3-year-345-million-deal-washington-football-team |access-date=March 18, 2021 |website=ESPN.com}}{{Cite web |date=March 18, 2021 |title=Washington Signs WR Curtis Samuel |url=https://www.commanders.com/news/washington-signs-curtis-samuel-wide-receiver |access-date=February 2, 2022 |website=Washington Commanders}} By signing with the Commanders, he was reunited with his college roommate, Terry McLaurin.{{Cite web |last=Hailey |first=Peter |date=March 19, 2021 |title=Curtis Samuel on how 'crazy' it is to be reunited with McLaurin |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/washington/football-team/curtis-samuel-how-crazy-it-feels-be-reunited-terry-mclaurin |access-date=January 27, 2023 |website=RSN |language=en}} He was placed on the active/physically unable to perform (PUP) list at the start of training camp due to a groin injury before he was placed on the COVID-19 reserve list two days in.{{Cite web |last=Alper |first=Josh |date=July 27, 2021 |title=Curtis Samuel to PUP list, Cornelius Lucas to COVID list in Washington |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/07/27/curtis-samuel-to-pup-list-cornelius-lucs-to-covid-list-in-washington/ |access-date=July 28, 2021 |website=Pro Football Talk}}{{cite web |last=Alper |first=Josh |title=Curtis Samuel, Matt Ioannidis land on Washington's COVID-19 reserve list |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/07/29/curtis-samuel-matt-ioannidis-land-on-washingtons-covid-19-reserve-list/ |access-date=July 30, 2021 |website=Pro Football Talk|date=July 29, 2021 }} He returned to the PUP list on August 9 and was placed back to the active roster on August 15.{{Cite web |last=Fisher |first=Mike |date=August 15, 2021 |title=Washington Roster Moves: Samuel at Practice, Former Pro Bowl RB Cut |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/washingtonfootball/news/washington-football-team-roster-moves-curtis-samuel-practice-former-pro-bowl-rb-lamar-miller-cuts |access-date=August 15, 2021 |website=SI.com}} Samuel tweaked his groin in practice just days before the opening game of the season and was placed on injured reserve. Samuel returned to the active roster on October 1, 2021.{{Cite web |last=Dubin |first=Jared |date=September 10, 2021 |title=Ron Rivera announces Washington will place Curtis Samuel on IR due to lingering groin injury |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/ron-rivera-announces-washington-will-place-curtis-samuel-on-ir-due-to-lingering-groin-injury/ |access-date=September 10, 2021 |website=CBS Sports}}{{Cite web |date=October 1, 2021 |title=Washington WR Curtis Samuel expected to play against Falcons |url=https://apnews.com/article/nfl-sports-atlanta-falcons-ron-rivera-washington-football-team-ae07aa4e584197d1a8c766a783c7f519 |access-date=March 1, 2023 |website=AP NEWS |language=en}}

==2022==

In the 2022 season opening win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Samuel recorded 55 receiving yards off eight receptions, 17 rushing yards, and his first touchdown reception for Washington.{{Cite web |date=September 12, 2022 |title=Commanders-Jaguars Stats & Snaps |url=https://www.commanders.com/news/commanders-jaguars-stats-snaps |access-date=December 4, 2022 |website=Commanders.com}} The next game, he followed up with seven receptions for 78 yards, 21 rushing yards, and a receiving touchdown against the Lions.{{Cite web |date=September 19, 2022 |title=Commanders-Lions Stats & Snaps |url=https://www.commanders.com/news/commanders-lions-stats-snaps |access-date=December 4, 2022 |website=Commanders.com}} Samuel played in the entirety of the 17 game season and was occasionally used as a running back as well as a wide receiver. He finished the year with 64 receptions for 646 yards and four receiving touchdowns as well as 38 rushing attempts for 187 yards and one rushing touchdown.{{Cite web |title=Curtis Samuel 2022 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SamuCu00/gamelog/2022/ |access-date=March 1, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

==2023==

Samuel changed his uniform number to 4 for the 2023 season.{{Cite web |last=Selby |first=Zach |date=April 21, 2023 |title=Commanders announce Curtis Samuel will wear No. 4 jersey for 2023 season |url=https://www.commanders.com/news/commanders-announce-curtis-samuel-will-wear-no-4-jersey-for-2023-season |access-date=21 April 2023 |website=Commanders.com}} In the 2023 season, he had 62 receptions for 613 yards and four touchdowns. He had one game with 100 receiving yards, which came in Week 12 against the Cowboys.{{Cite web |title=Curtis Samuel 2023 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SamuCu00/gamelog/2023/ |access-date=2024-09-07 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

= Buffalo Bills =

On March 14, 2024, Samuel signed a three-year, $24 million deal with the Buffalo Bills.{{Cite web |last=Glab |first=Maddy |date=March 15, 2024 |title=Bills sign WR Curtis Samuel to three-year deal |url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-sign-wr-curtis-samuel-to-three-year-deal |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=BuffaloBills.com}} He finished the 2024 season with 31 receptions for 253 yards and one touchdown, which came in Week 11 against the Chiefs.{{Cite web |title=Curtis Samuel 2024 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SamuCu00/gamelog/2024/ |access-date=2025-02-23 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}

Samuel made his postseason debut in the Wild Card round game versus Denver. He scored his first career postseason touchdown on a 55-yard reception from Josh Allen in the fourth quarter of a 31–7 victory.{{cite web | title=Samuel delivers career-long touchdown grab | website=The Athletic | date=2025-01-12 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/live-blogs/broncos-vs-bills-live-score-updates-nfl-playoffs-wild-card/f0dfIbqMX8HF/hMlQkJsYiUuB/ | access-date=2025-02-23}} He scored a touchdown in the AFC Championship loss to the Chiefs.{{Cite web |title=AFC Championship - Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs - January 26th, 2025 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202501260kan.htm |access-date=2025-02-23 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}

NFL career statistics

= Regular season =

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"

|+

! rowspan=2|Season !! rowspan=2|Team !! colspan=2|Games !! colspan=6|Receiving !! colspan=5|Rushing !! colspan=2|Fumbles

GPGSTgtRecYdsAvgLngTDAttYdsAvgLngTDFumLost
2017CAR

| 9 || 4 || 26 || 15 || 115 || 7.7 || 23 || 0 || 4 || 64 || 16.0 || 31 || 0 || 0 || 0

2018CAR

| 13 || 8 || 65 || 39 || 494 || 12.7 || 53 || 5 || 8 || 84 || 10.5 || 33 || 2 || 1 || 1

2019CAR

| 16 || 15 || 105 || 54 || 627 || 11.6 || 44 || 6 || 19 || 130 || 6.8 || 16 || 1 || 0 || 0

2020CAR

| 15 || 5 || 97 || 77 || 851 || 11.1 || 44 || 3 || 41 || 200 || 4.9 || 45 || 2 || 1 || 0

2021

!WAS

| 5 || 1 || 9 || 6 || 27 || 4.5 || 10 || 0 || 4 || 11 || 2.8 || 8 || 0 || 0 || 0

2022

!WAS

| 17 || 12 || 92 || 64 || 656 || 10.3 || 49 || 4 || 38 || 187 || 4.9 || 21 || 1 || 1 || 1

2023

!WAS

| 16 || 13 || 91 || 62 || 613 || 9.9 || 37 || 4 || 7 || 39 || 5.6 || 15 || 1 || 0 || 0

2024BUF

| 14 || 2 || 46 || 31 || 253 || 8.2 || 38 || 1 || 5 || 14 || 2.8 || 7 || 0 || 0 || 0

colspan="2" |[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SamuCu00.htm Career]105605313483,63610.453231277295.845732

= Playoffs =

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"

|+

! rowspan=2|Season !! rowspan=2|Team !! colspan=2|Games !! colspan=6|Receiving !! colspan=5|Rushing !! colspan=2|Fumbles

GPGSTgtRecYdsAvgLngTDAttYdsAvgLngTDFumLost
2024BUF

| 2 || 0 || 5 || 5 || 77 || 15.4 || 55 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0

colspan="2" |[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SamuCu00.htm Career]20557715.45510000000

References

{{reflist}}