Prospect: Donte Samuel

[Jay [FSU]]

Since I now have some free time guys, I figured I'd start one of these bad bitches up.
Following a kid right now named Donte Samuel. Running Back for his Florida squad. Hoping to make it to the College circuit and hopefully the NFL. We'll see how that goes.

Next up: My customary bio page.

[Jay [FSU]]

[Jay [FSU]]

Jan. 7, 2003

Yo whattup ya'll, my name's Donte. That's short for Donttarious. I am THE running back for the Glades Central High School Raiders, baby. Yeah, Rivals messed my shit up on the bio thang.

So anyway. Little history. I've been the running back of my squad since I was a sophmore. 10 games, man, was all I played in. We didn't make states. Which pissed me off. I wasn't used correctly, either. I'm a speed back, you know, like this Reggie Bush cat that's in HS right now. But when the coaches saw what I can do, they been puttin' me in the outside ever since.

We played fourteen games this year. Made it to states, won. We beat our rival, too! Pahokee Blue Devils. But the great thing is, I have been being recruited by various schools. Florida, Florida State, Miami U, and Georgia been lobbyin' me hard, but USC, Duke, Temple, Rutgers, and Oregon have been asking about me too. It's a tough decision.

Duke actually is appealing to me. Be the star right away, man. I know I could up the ante there. But it's all speculation right now. I ain't gonna sign until National Signing Day anyway, so what's the point in revealin' who I'm playing for now? Because I've made up my mind. And it's all speculation, baby.

[Jay [FSU]]

Feb. 6, 2003

Signing day is here, ya'll!
I'm gonna give you my transcript of what went down, but first, I'll tell you who committed where.

Reggie Bush, my boy from different camps, is going to USC. Good for him. He's 'bout to tear it up in SoCal. Kregg Lumpkin's goin' to Georgia. How bout that, huh? Justin Vincent is goin' to LSU. Some cat who busted onto the boards this year, Lawerence Maroney, is goin' to Minnesota.

So there's a bit of parody this year. My older brother, Asante, is goin' to the NFL Draft. Cat's a beast.... Outta Central Florida. He's gonna cash in, man.

Well anyway, here's the transcript.

Samuel: Thanks for comin' ya'll, it means a lot to me. Glades Central is nice enough to offer their auditorium for me to announce, so I'll announce here, as a token of my appreciation. Now, I have ten hats lined up here. Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Texas, Duke, Tennessee, Ohio State, UCLA, and South Carolina.

Samuel: Now, before I tell you where I'm going, I'mma tell you who I am taking off my list. First, Florida. They don't run the offense I like [throws hat off table] . Second, Florida State, because they're not a good team for me -- not a good fit [throws hat off table]. Georgia re-nigged on me [throws hat off table]. LSU got Vincent [throws hat off table]. Texas has a squad, and is in my top two. I will not be throwing the hat off the table. Duke is cool, but I don't wanna play there. [throws hat off table]. Tennessee is a bit far and hillbilly for me [throws hat off table]. OSU is too damn far [throws hat off table]. Maurice Drew is goin' to UCLA [throws hat off table]. And South Carolina is in rags. [throws hat off table].

Samuel: [after the crowd is done talking] Now, Texas is the only hat on the table. But, um. I don't know how to say this properly [gets up, walks in front of podium, rips off white t-shirt] I'm going to UNC, baby!!!!!!!

Television Announcer: And there you have it! Donte Samuel, record setting running back and the darling of Belle Glade, has committed to a lesser North Carolina Tarheels team! What is the motive behind this, Donte?

Samuel: Well you know, man, they guarenteed me to be a starter. That's what I wanted. I didn't wanna wait. Plus I love UNC basketball, I was offered to play there, but I won't -- football is my life now. I got my jersey, #5. I was gonna wear my #23, like I wore here, but in honor of Air Jordan, I won't. Also, I was guarenteed academic scholarships as well. UNC is gonna be a great fit, and I see us going up, up, and away baby.

Television Announcer: There you have it ladies and gentlemen, Donattarious 'Donte' Samuel is a Tarheel!

[Jay [FSU]]

May 30, 2003


Well, it's been a while.
I've been real preoccupied lately with stuff, man. Graduation was today, I just got back from a family dinner at a pretty fancy restaurant. I got my diploma, that's all I care about. My baby girl Gianna was there, beautiful as always, getting her diploma last. Gianna Zappitelli. What a name, right?

Anyway, the Army All-American Game was sick. I was on the same team as Brady Quinn. I had 10 attempts for 92 yards, 3 receptions for 43 yards, 2 punt returns for 15 yards, and 2 total TDs. Brady was MVP, 21-23 for 193 yards and 3 TDs with no interceptions. He's about to be a beast. He signed with Notre Dame, so they're about to be sick nasty.

My brother got drafted to the NFL! Day two choice, but that's allright. He got drafted by New England! Asante Samuel is 'bout to tear it up for the AFC. I'm happy.

Happiness is at an all-time high for me. In three weeks I'm moving in at North Carolina, and we're gonna start drills for freshmen. Gianna is going to NC for physical therapy, and my major is Computer Information Systems. I'm just hoping I get to use that degree some day....

[Jay [FSU]]

July 15, 2003

Down, set, set, hike!!!!

Coach Bunting was on the sidelines. 3-9 record last year, and he's looking to improve it, like any other coach would. CJ Stephens, our quarterback, was in front of me, giving me the ball. I ran a pitch to the left, as Chris Hawkins, a sophmore corner, ran after me. 3 yards is all I got as he leveled me, ringing in my ears.

"You're gonna need some more speed than that, cat." Hawkins helped me up, patted my back, and back we went to the huddle. Coach ran over, and pulled me aside, as Jacque Lewis, a sophmore running back, went in. Coach asked me some questions about my high school schemes: "What did you normally do in third-down situations? What is the best way you think you can evade a d-back?"

All these questions, coupled with the intense 104 degree weather, and one water break an hour ago were pissing me off. I knew if I had any chance of seeing the field, I needed to do something great.

Coach called the kick return team on to the field, and I wasn't out there. Now, mind you, I played kick returner in high school. Favorite thing to do, in fact. So I was behind the goal post, as Daunte Fields, a freshman reciever who would be a returner, was lined up to return the kick. After the kick started, I ran onto the field, and caught the ball before Fields had his hands up.

Cutting through the defenders, Tandin Morris and Isaac Mooring were catching on and finally caught up to me. As they tried to sandwich me, I ducked, swam, and spun to freedom and they collided into one another. Spinning through defenders, I took the ball 104 yards to the end zone, putting the ball down, and walked away.

People applauded in the stands, and Coach Bunting, furious, ran up to me. "What the hell was that, kid?"

"It was skill, coach. It's gon' get me on the field one day, man."

"That was idiocy. Disregard for the team! But impressive."

Coach Andre Powell seemed to think so too, and patted me on the back.

I was named starting kick returner that day.

[Jay [FSU]]

July 23, 2003

"Allright ladies and gentlemen, let's get ready for some Tarheels football! The annual blue vs. white game will be played today, and now, your captains for the blue team. Number 29, freshman Donte Samuel, running back from Florida. Number 17, sophmore Matt Baker, quarterback, and number 37, junior linebacker Clarence Woody. The white team captains -- Sophmore reciever number 38, Michael Gilmore. Offensive tackle number 76, junior Will McNeill. And finally, your quarterback, number 16, Jared Hall!

The crowd was applauding, confetti everywhere as we ran out. I was named captain of the blue team, an honor usually reserved for upper classmen. But since the team had a tradition of losing since beating Auburn 16-10 a few years ago in a bowl game, I guess coach wanted a new approach.

First quarter was sick, we were leading 9-2. I had 4 attempts for 17 yards, not bad. I didn't play the second quarter, we still led, 9-8. Third quarter I sat out still, and we were up 14-11. I didn't play until 5 minutes were left in the game, instead coaching from the sidelines.

Five minutes to go in the quarter, Blue up 14-11. Donte Samuel comes back into the game as a running back. Hand-off to Samuel.. It's a flea-flicker! Samuel wide open, Baker hits Samuel in stride! Doug Justice comes rolling over and hits Samuel... But he stays on his feet! Samuel at the 10, and finally trips out!

I felt good about that 33 yard pickup receiving. Showed another facet of my game.

First and ten, ten yards to go until a touchdown. Samuel runs to the left, Baker hikes the ball and tosses to Samuel, who goes untouched into the endzone! Touchdown Blue!! 21-11!

After we kicked the ball, they returned it 81 yards for a score. I was finally going to showcase my return. 21-19, after they did a little two point conversion. Sick bastards.

John Lafferty kicks it off, and Samuel fields it at the 2. He's running, cutting, and astounding us! Samuel spins around two defenders, and he has open turf! But here comes tight end Zach Hilton, playing special teams. Hilton hits Samuel, who stiff arms him HARD! I heard it up here! Samuel goes all the way!

Damn right, baby. All the way. Score. We won, 28-19.

STAT LINE: (Blue vs. White Game, W 28-19)
5 attempts, 27 yards (5.4 avg) 1 TD. 1 rec. 33 yds (33.0 avg), 1 return, 98 yards, 1 TD

[Jay [FSU]]

July 30, 2003

I don't really remember what happened, to be honest.

I was riding high from the amazing performance I had in the scrimmage. I mean, I'm a couple days away from being named the starting back! But, as always, I manage to **** something up.

So we were at Kappa Eta Gamma, a sweet frat that parties, and I was with my boy, Baker. Baker's the QB, you heard about him in the last post. Anyway, we get to the Kappa Gam house and cops are already there. So we turn around, nothing to see. But someone bumped in to me.

This is where shit hits the fan. The cops are talking to people, there was a break-in, marijuana was involved. So the cop says I smell weird, asks me to take off my jacket. What do you know? That ass who bumped in to me put the weed in my coat pocket. So now, here I am, in the dorms, released, but suspended for one week.

What kind of shit is that?!
And I am going to find the kid that did this...

[Jay [FSU]]

August 2nd, 2003

So yeah.

A few days without football is killing me. Matt (Baker) has been talking to the cops that he had been with me all night, tellin' them that I didn't have the stuff.

But I have been running the track and lifting to keep in shape. ESPN has the story all over, it's pissin' me off. That, and Asante called me bitchin' me out about the whole damn thing. I don't know, man. I don't want my career to be over before it started!!!

So Coach has me as the first string running back still. He knows what's up, I passed a drug test, so I'm good to go. It's just NCAA regulations that I'm suspended. I just don't want this to hurt me, man.

On another note, my little brother Vince is the first string wide reciever for Glade Central! He is a junior, played defensive back for the past two years but impressed coaches. He's a four-star prospect right now as a DB, and UCLA has been showing interest. I hope he comes here though. I played in the backfield with him last year and the year before, he's a beast at tackling and intercepting the ball, but his awareness and stamina are suspect, man. I hope he got his crap together over the offseason.

Gianna called earlier. Something about committing to her. I love her, and I promised we are going to get married one day. Speaking of... I got her an engagement ring. I'm gonna propose to her after the Miami game when we play... In front of millions of people. Nothing better, right?

[Jay [FSU]]

August 4, 2003

Five days gone, two to go until I get back onto the field with my team. It's seemed like an eternity, but I've been lifting like crazy to get ready for this season ever since I got 'locked up' from football. It's been crazy on campus. People aren't even here, and we've been here forever. The Kappa Gam's talked to the police, and it was a brother named Cory Criss who had the weed, and passed it to me. He admitted it.

As a consolatory move, they're gonna rush me because they like me and they think I will be a good member of the frat. It's too early to be thinkin' bout that, though. I scheduled my classes, I'm taking Computer Processing Systems, Calculus 250, Wellness (it's like a health class), and Deviance (like psychology. They deal with crack babies and stuff), so it'll be a good semester. All my classes are on Tuesday and Thursday, I get done at 2:45, so it'll be good to get essentially a four day weekend. But I get all A's baby, I'm an athlete (Damn, Boobie Miles is slick.)

I can't wait, man. Coach says I'm gonna start our first game, so you'll hear from me soon about the game!!!!

[Jay [FSU]]

September 23, 2003

Wow. 1-3. This is a change of events, I guess you could say.

First game of the season, we played Western Michigan. We blew them out, too, 65-0. I ran 10 times for 153 yards and 2 touchdowns on them, so my confidence was riding high after that game. I mean, I carved up a D-1 school on the ground, man! Nothing beats that.

Week two was a different story, though. We played Virginia. And damn, are they slick. 9 attempts for 47 yards and no touchdowns in that game, but it's all good, because I showed I still am resilient on the ground, as I broke 14 tackles in the first half, when I mainly played, because we were blown out, 12-45. I can't believe it was that bad. We really need to find a groove, and soon, because if we don't, that game showed us that our defense will be lackluster all season.

Game three was a bit different -- 10 attempts again, 98 yards, 1 touchdown on South Florida, who beat us 32-33. We played much better, except we still need to find a way to finish out games, man! Baker threw an interception with 5 minutes remaining and they capitalized on it, and won the game with 4 seconds to go. What a load of shit, right? I mean, I love this team. Truly, I do. But if we are to ever, ever win another game this season, we need to find out that shit is going to be hard, and we need to capitalize on the hard shit.

Finally, our last game before I get out of here. Eastern Carolina University. This game should have been a walk in the park for us, but it wasn't.We lost, 9-6, in overtime. It was a nailbiter, too, because we would have won, if not for our dumbass quarterback, who friggin' threw another INT with 3 seconds left and they kicked another field goal to tie, and kicked a FG in OT to win. As I write this journal entry more and more, the more I hate the kid. Anyway, I had 9 attempts for 15 yards in the game, not impressive at all. If I want to be better, I have to work harder, and it's obvious I do.

Virginia Tech is up next.. I'm dreading ACC play already, man.

North Carolina: 1-3 (0-0 ACC)
Samuel: 39 att., 313 yds., 3 TD, 8.0 avg

[Jay [FSU]]

September 30, 2003

Third quarter, Virginia Tech leads 28-36. Donte Samuel lines up in the backfield behind Matt Baker. Baker with the dropback, a toss to Samuel, and he's off! Samuel cuts to the 20, he's at the 10.... Stopped at the goal line!

Story of the day, man. Virginia Tech is just a damn nasty school, and they showed it today in full force. They had me stopped at all times, and it was annoying. 9 attempts for 42 yards, and that was my total for the day. They're sick at stopping the run, we had a net gain of 49 rushing yards. I caught 7 balls for 162 yards and 2 touchdowns, though, so I had a good all-purpose day. Baker is sketchy, man. 12-39 for 271 yards, 2 TDs, and 5 INT. He was intercepted 5 times in the fourth quarter, which really pissed me off because we could have won the game if they would have handed me the damn rock more! It sounds cocky, but it's for certain. Look, they keyed in on our passing game, dropping back into coverage more. Baker is young and inconsisent. I have a 8.0 yard/carry average, man! That doesn't lie. Oh well.

We have a lot of damn improvement to cash in on if we want to even CONTEND with Miami next week. They got a sick squad, and I'm worried we might get our asses HANDED to us. Allright. I'll catch ya'll later.

North Carolina: 1-4 (0-1 ACC)
Samuel: 48 att., 355 yds., 3 TD, 7.4 avg

[Jay [FSU]]

October 4, 2003

Miami U holds a small lead over North Carolina going into the final five minutes. Baker with the snap, pitch to Samuel. Samuel has run 13 times for 109 yards today, and he's broken a big run! Devin Hester with the tackle! Samuel lands akwardly, and is NOT getting up! Oh no, ladies and gentlemen, could this be bad for UNC?? We'll go to commercials, with the score-- Tarheels 13, Hurricanes 15.

Hester tackled the piss out of me on that play, man. It hurts real bad to bend my right leg, like REAL bad. It's swelled up pretty bad, too. Doctors think it might be an ACL sprain, but they're not sure on anything.

We played good today, lost, but we played tight. I really like how we played -- tough. That's how it NEEDS to be every game. I tried rallying my troops at the end, but it was to no avail, man. We need to tighten up the pass-rush, if we would have done that, we woulda won hands down.

I'll let ya'll know what's happenin' soon.

[Jay [FSU]]

Any comments? Suggestions?