Curtis Samuel

A First-team All-American and All-Big Ten honoree in 2016, Curtis Samuel distinguished himself at Ohio State as the only player in the university’s history to achieve over 1,000 career yards in both rushing and receiving. During his standout 2016 season, Samuel recorded 771 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, complemented by 865 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, building on his contributions to the CFP national championship in 2015. Following a collegiate career that also included 383 rushing yards and six touchdowns in 2014, and 289 receiving yards and two touchdowns in 2015, Samuel was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the second round, 40th overall, of the 2017 NFL Draft, subsequently signing a four-year, $6.45 million contract after transitioning to wide receiver during the NFL Combine. Samuel’s NFL career with the Panthers began in 2017, where he recorded 15 receptions for 115 yards and 64 rushing yards in nine games.

Following a season affected by injury, he made a notable return in 2022, playing all 17 games and recording 64 receptions for 656 yards and four touchdowns, along with 187 rushing yards and one touchdown. For the 2023 season, Samuel continued to be a key offensive asset, finishing with 62 receptions for 613 yards and four touchdowns, which included a significant 100-yard receiving game. Most recently, on March 14, 2024, Samuel signed a three-year, $24 million deal with the Buffalo Bills. In his initial season with the Bills, he recorded 31 receptions for 253 yards and one touchdown.

Samuel made his postseason debut in the Wild Card round game for the Bills in 2024, scoring his first career postseason touchdown on an impressive 55-yard reception, and later adding another touchdown in the AFC Championship loss to the Chiefs, demonstrating his impact in critical game situations.