Tribute to Vanderbilt's Eric Samuels

Sixteen Vanderbilt players make up the first senior class to ever play in two consecutive bowl games during their Commodore careers. Leading up to the Music City Bowl, VandyMania.com will look back on each senior's career. In this segment Eric Samuels is featured.

THE BASICS:

22 Eric Samuels

Hometown: Eustis, Fla.

High school: Umatilla

Position: S

HT: 6-0 WT: 200

Chose Vanderbilt over: Several non FBS schools.

OVERVIEW:

Eric Samuels is another example of the Bobby Johnson staff finding under-radar-players who can play in the SEC. Samuels was lightly recruited out of high school but Vandy was happy to get him. Samuels has proved to be a versatile player at Vandy. He's played in the secondary and played some running back where he averaged over 4 yards a carry in 2010. He was also a solid kick returner and averaged an impressive 20 yards a return.

BEST MOMENT:

December 31, 2012 at Memphis. Vanderbilt is playing in just its fifth bowl game in program history. Tied with Cincinnati 14-14 as the game neared the fourth quarter mark, Vanderbilt is having trouble containing Bearcat running back Isaiah Pead. Enter Eric Samuels who was one of the few Commodores to catch the slippery back for a loss on that day. In a second-and-1 situation Samuels tackled Pead for a 4-yard loss. Vandy would go on to lose 31-24 but Samuels' heady play against Pead was impressive.

MEMORABLE QUOTE:

"It has been fun," Samuels said. "Every time they asked me to move, I kind of got down, but then I always remembered just to work as hard as I can and make the most of my opportunity and that is what I did at every position I played." Eric Samuels reflecting on his VU career to VUCommodores.com for a September 28, 2012 article.

HONORS:

2010 team Specialist of the Week (2 awards)

CAREER STATS:

Games played in: 42
Carries: 10
Rushing yards: 43
Tackles: 88
Tackles for loss (solo): 2
Tackles for loss (assist): 4
Passes broken up: 5
Interceptions: 1
Int. return yards: 19
Forced fumbles: 1
Kick Returns: 36
Kick return yards: 729
Avg. per KO return: 20.25 yards

PHOTO GALLERY LINK: Click HERE


Eric Samuels and family on Senior Day (VM-Stan Jones)