#22 Eric Samuels Season 2011-12

2012
Samuels played in 12 games during his senior season at Vanderbilt… Concluded regular season with 35 total tackles and 20 solo stops… Both totals represent single-season career highs for the safety… Added 1.5 tackles for loss and a pass defended as a member of the Commodore secondary that ranked third in the SEC in pass defense… Posted career high of five solo tackles in shutout win at Kentucky… Had at least five total tackles in four games, topped by six-tackle performance at Missouri… Played one of his best games in Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl victory over North Carolina State, contributing three solo tackles and first interception of the season.

2011
Samuels moved from cornerback to safety in the offseason, concentrating on defense and special teams responsibilities after playing both offense and defense as a sophomore… Appeared in all 13 games… As a kick returner, gained 180 yards on nine returns for a 20.0-yard avg… Totaled 19 solo tackles and 25 total stops… Contributed four tackles, including one for a 4-yard loss, vs. Cincinnati in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl…Team[apos]s leading tackler against Arkansas with five solo stops… Contributed one pass breakup against Georgia… Posted four total tackles in rout of Wake Forest.

2010
Arguably team[apos]s most versatile player as sophomore, seeing action as defensive back, running back and kickoff return specialist… Played in all 12 games, though did not earn starting assignment… Opened season in defensive backfield, then added running back duties after injuries depleted rushing corps… Knack for being around ball as cornerback showed with 27 total tackles, including 15 solo stops… Also contributed pair of fumble recoveries, a forced fumble and three passes defensed… As kickoff returner, averaged 20.3 yards… Earned team[apos]s Specialist of the Week honor after performances against Arkansas and Tennessee… Had six tackles (a career high) at Arkansas… As RB, rushed for 43 yards on 10 carries… Posted 27 yards on five carries in finale vs. Wake Forest.

2009
One of seven true freshmen to see action, Samuels played in six games, contributing as reserve defensive back and on special team coverage units… Missed LSU and Mississippi State games after suffering an injury during 19-yard return of interception against Western Carolina… Sat out the final four games of season… Finished the year with four total tackles, including three solo stops… In addition to interception in season-opening win over WCU, Samuels also contributed a fumble recovery… Shared team[apos]s Specialist of the Week honor with conversion snapper David Giller following performance in first collegiate game.

High School
Senior captain… Three-year starter at running back and defensive back… Team[apos]s leading rusher (627 yards), receiver and scorer (11 TDs) as senior… Contributed 43 total tackles and three INTs as DB in 2008… Team[apos]s offensive MVP as junior and senior… Two-time All-Area selection… Posted an INT in recent Central Florida All-Star Game… As junior, ran for 962 yards and 10 TDs while posting seven INTs… Two-year starter as guard on basketball team… District 200-meter champion in track as junior, qualifying for 2A state meet with personal bests of 10.89 (100) and 22.24 (200).

Personal
Eric Damon Samuels Jr… Son of Eric Samuels and Tina Quashie… Has two brothers and a younger sister… Born May 9, 1991… Elected as school[apos]s homecoming king… Earned faculty[apos]s Top Ten Student honor and school[apos]s highest student-athlete award… Likes to hang out with friends… Completed degree in Special Education from the Peabody College.