A Man Of Many Abilities

DJ Samuels is a self-proclaimed man of many abilities. Whether it's offense, defense, or special teams on the football field, it's tough to argue with his proclamation. 

The 6-foot, 251-pound sophomore linebacker studying communication has seen an increased role in 2024. Samuels is coming off a career performance against Minnesota on Sept. 26, in which he scored a receiving touchdown and recorded a personal-best five total tackles and three tackles for loss. He became the first power conference player since 2012 with at least one receiving TD and three TFLs in the same game. His on-the-field abilities are undeniable. However, he’s equally talented off the field.

Attending Janis E. Dismus Middle School in Englewood, New Jersey, Samuels discovered a passion for music, specifically playing an instrument. He fell in love with it and even joined the school band, playing the snare and the bass. 

“I fell in love with the music part and everything,” Samuels said. “It was a really cool experience. As far as sixth through eighth grade, that was one of the funnest times. I met people I never thought I would even talk to. It just helps you see outside of sports and everything, like different things that you could be good at.”

Samuels and others in the band were required to perform in recitals for a grade. He performed in many settings, including a Memorial Day parade and a New York Rangers NHL game. 

Although Samuels was bummed out about giving up his second passion when he got to high school to focus on football, it has remained a part of him. It has also helped him appreciate the Mighty Sound of Maryland — the university’s marching band — which he believes many people forget about on game day.  

“I feel like a band is just as important as football the team itself,” Samuels said. “Every time we look over, every time we score, every time we win, that fight song plays and everything. I feel like that's just an energy booster for all parties. When we're winning, the band is happy. When the band is playing, we're happy. The band deserves just as much credit as we do, especially because they add fuel to the fire.”

Samuels' decision to focus solely on football has paid dividends. Maryland’s head football coach, Michael Locksley, described him as a playmaker on the field who’s versatile and isn’t afraid of contact. Samuels attended Bergen Catholic High School, one of the top high school football programs in the United States. 

According to NFL Play Football’s HSFA 100, Bergen Catholic finished the 2021 season — Samuels’ junior year — with the No. 3 national ranking at 12-0. Furthermore, in Samuels’ senior year — 2022 — the Crusaders earned the No. 21 final ranking while going 11-1. 

The edge rusher is Bergen Catholic’s all-time sacks leader, and he led the school to three straight state championships. He was even named First Team All-State three times and the 2021 New Jersey Defensive Player of the Year. 

“He's from those high school programs that understand football,” Locksley said. “When you look at the tradition at the high school he came from, the players are well coached and developed the right way. He was one of those guys that, when you first look at him, you say, ‘Maybe too short, maybe not big enough.’ But when you put his tape on, he makes plays.”

He continued. “Since the time he stepped on our campus here, he's been around the ball, and usually, it's negative plays. It's sacks, it’s fumbles and he's matured. He's becoming a guy that I feel like I can trust.”

Samuels also occasionally played running back in high school, where he showcased his abilities on the offensive side of the ball. As a senior, he rushed 29 times for 256 yards and six touchdowns. When he got on the offensive side of the ball and scored against the Gophers, muscle memory took over. 

“I've been an offensive guy my whole life,” Samuels said. “This is my first time only going one way in college before. When I got the opportunity to go both ways, I just took it and ran with it.”

Samuels also comes from a large family. He has 14 siblings and is the middle child. DJ is the first in his family to play collegiate football, but he follows his father and older brother, Marquez, as the family's football players. 

Family is vital to Samuels. His brothers and sisters are often at his games, and he appreciates this because they molded him into who he is today.  

“We’re just a big family,” Samuels said. “I'm happy to have all my brothers and sisters and how close we are together. You would think it’s a lot being in a big family, but It's really not. It just builds your own little circle together. You don't really need friends if you have that many brothers and sisters.”

Samuels has many abilities, whether catching touchdowns on offense, hit-sticking opposing ball carriers in the backfield, or even playing an instrument. He also hopes to one day be a sports anchor on TV. 

But right now, he’s focused on the task at hand as an up-and-coming athlete at Maryland. 

“I think I'm a man of many abilities,” Samuels said. “I just want to make it known that DJ Samuels is here. … I want to be a two-way player here at the university. I just want to be known for a lot of things, whether it's offense, defense or special teams. The future is going to take me where I take it.”