Syracuse Orange football’s 17-year old freshman plans to be a 2-way player at SU

Billy Heyen

Syracuse Orange football’s 17-year old freshman plans to be a 2-way player at SU image

Demetres Samuel Jr. is different.

The Syracuse Orange freshman hasn't even turned 18 yet, but he's already planning on being a two-way star in college football.

Samuel spoke to the media on Tuesday to share the mindset he is taking into his freshman season.

"Coach Fran (Brown) tells me to just be myself and let my game play," Samuel said. "Don't overcomplicate things. All the coaches just try to help me and push me and tell me to just stay calm and be in the moment, just play your game."

Brown has already said he thinks Samuel could start at corner as a freshman.

"I'm really just grateful for (the support)," Samuel said. "A lot of coaches gave me an opportunity, and I feel like he spoke to me the hardest, and he still does right now. So for that I'll go 100%."

Right now, Samuel is listed as a defensive back on the SU roster.

He's 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds from Palm Bay, Florida and Heritage High School.

Samuel was a four-star recruit and won a pair of district titles in high school.

He also has five siblings, all whose names start with a 'D': Denesha, Dezirae, D'shunti, Demitrea and Dalin.

It's a fitting letter for a potential shutdown DB.

If Samuel can eventually add wide receiver to his job description, that'd be even more impressive. 

The two-way player path took a spotlight during the 2024 season when Colorado's Travis Hunter won the Heisman Trophy playing essentially every snap as a corner and a receiver, but it's not something that very many players even attempt.

The Orange won't rush Samuel, of course. He'll get his early looks on the defensive side of the ball, it seems.

But eventually, he could get a chance to do it all. And if he does that, he'll certainly be paying off Brown's belief in him.

MORE: Duke's football team could chase ACC title thanks to star transfer QB

Billy Heyen

Billy Heyen is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He is a 2019 graduate of Syracuse University who has written about many sports and fantasy sports for The Sporting News. Sports reporting work has also appeared in a number of newspapers, including the Sandusky Register and Rochester Democrat & Chronicle