Curtis Samuel

Curtis Samuel, born on August 11, 1996, is a professional American football player that has made his mark in the National Football League (NFL) as a wide receiver. As of 2024, he has been playing for the Buffalo Bills, after four seasons with the Carolina Panthers and three with the Washington Commanders.

During his high school years, Samuel displayed his athletic prowess at Erasmus Hall High School in Brooklyn, New York. Playing as a running back for the Dutchmen football team, he was a force to be reckoned with. He averaged 11.5 yards per carry in his junior year and amassed over 1,000 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. Samuel was recognized as the New York Daily News city player of the year in 2012 due to his exceptional performance. In his senior year, he continued to impress by averaging 15.8 yards per rush for 1,461 yards and 17 touchdowns, earning him the 2013 New York Gatorade Player of the Year title.

Beyond football, Samuel also excelled in track, claiming victory in the 55 meters at the New York State track and field championships with a staggering time of 6.44 seconds. His dual abilities were showcased as he also scored three receiving touchdowns and two punt return touchdowns during his high school career.

A highly touted, 4-star running back recruit, he committed to the Ohio State Buckeyes where he would further hone his skills on the football field. During his college football career, he managed to impress once again, gaining over 1,000 career yards in both rushing and receiving, a feat no other player in Ohio State history has accomplished. He was instrumental in helping the Buckeyes secure the 2015 College Football Playoff National Championship and attained All-American honors in 2016.

Ahead of the 2017 NFL draft, Samuel switched positions to become a wide receiver. He was subsequently picked by the Carolina Panthers in the second round (40th overall). On May 5, 2017, he signed a four-year contract with the Panthers worth $6.45 million, $4.05 million of which was guaranteed, plus a signing bonus of $2.83 million.

He hit the ground running with the Panthers but suffered a major setback due to an ankle injury in November 2017 that necessitated surgery. Despite this setback, Samuel managed to finish his rookie season with 15 receptions for 115 receiving yards and four carries for 64 rushing yards in nine games.

In the 2018 season, he scored his first career touchdown against the New York Giants, and ended the season with 39 receptions for 494 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns. His 2019 season was equally impressive, with 54 receptions, 627 receiving yards, six receiving touchdowns, 130 rushing yards, and one rushing touchdown.

The 2020 season saw Samuel record his then-career-high with 77 receptions for 851 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns. By the end of his time with the Panthers in 2020, Samuel had firmly established himself as a seasoned wide receiver in the NFL.

He then signed a three-year, $34.5 million contract with the Washington Football Team in 2021 where he continued to perform admirably. The 2022 season marked a high point for Samuel who finished with 64 receptions for 646 yards, and four receiving touchdowns, topping it off with 187 yards and a rushing touchdown.

After a brief stint with the Washington Commanders, Samuel continued his football journey with the Buffalo Bills by signing a three-year, $24 million contract in 2024. Throughout his career, from his high school days to his professional years in the NFL, Curtis Samuel has proven to be a formidable presence on the football field and an athlete of remarkable prowess and resilience.