{{Short description|American gridiron football player (born 1996)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}} {{Infobox NFL biography | name = Jaylen Samuels | image = Jaylen Samuels.jpg | image_size = | alt = | caption = Samuels with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2019 | current_team = | number = | position = Running back | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1996|7|20}} | birth_place = Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | height_ft = 5 | height_in = 11 | weight_lb = 229 | high_school = Mallard Creek (Charlotte) | college = NC State (2014–2017) | draftyear = 2018 | draftround = 5 | draftpick = 165 | pastteams = * Pittsburgh Steelers ({{NFL Year|2018}}–{{NFL Year|2021}}) * Houston Texans ({{NFL Year|2021}}) * Arizona Cardinals ({{NFL Year|2022}})* * San Antonio Brahmas ({{UFL Year|2024}})* * Ottawa Redblacks ({{CFL Year|2025}})* | status = Active | cflstatus = American | highlights = * 2× First-team All-ACC (2015, 2017) | statleague = NFL | statseason = | statweek = | statlabel1 = Rushing yards | statvalue1 = 468 | statlabel2 = Rushing average | statvalue2 = 3.4 | statlabel3 = Rushing touchdowns | statvalue3 = 1 | statlabel4 = Receptions | statvalue4 = 85 | statlabel5 = Receiving yards | statvalue5 = 564 | statlabel6 = Receiving touchdowns | statvalue6 = 4 | pfr = S/SamuJa00 | cfl = jaylen-samuels/169485/ }}
'''Jaylen Samuels''' (born July 20, 1996) is an American professional football running back. He was most recently a member of the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football for the NC State Wolfpack.
==Early life== Samuels attended and played high school football at Mallard Creek High School. While there, he played at the safety and running back positions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jaylen Samuels, Mallard Creek, Safety |url=https://247sports.com/Player/Jaylen-Samuels-17020/high-school-56202/ |access-date=February 24, 2019 |website=247Sports |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cowart |first=C. Jackson |date=July 13, 2017 |title=Ex-Mallard Creek star Jaylen Samuels is creating new positions with NC State |url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/college/article161256168.html |access-date=February 24, 2019 |website=The Charlotte Observer |language=en}}</ref> He also helped lead Mallard Creek to the 2013 North Carolina 4AA state title, with a perfect 16–0 record.<ref>[https://gopack.com/sports/football/roster/jaylen-samuels/4759 Jaylen Samuels - 2017 Football Roster]. ''NC State University Athletics''. Retrieved August 10, 2025.</ref>
==College career== Throughout his college career at North Carolina State, Samuels changed positions, being listed as a running back, fullback, wide receiver and tight end. Best described as a more traditional slotback or H-back.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cowart |first=C. Jackson |date=July 13, 2017 |title=Ex-Mallard Creek star Jaylen Samuels is creating new positions with NC State |url=http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/college/article161256168.html |access-date=April 10, 2018 |website=Charlotte Observer}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Giglio, Joe |date=August 24, 2016 |title=Jaylen Samuels does it all for NC State |url=http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/nc-state/article97381477.html |access-date=April 10, 2018 |website=News & Observer}}</ref> He scored a touchdown in the 2014 St. Petersburg Bowl.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 27, 2014 |title=Pack Wins 2014 Bitcoin St. Petersburg Bowl, 34–27 |url=https://gopack.com/news/2014/12/27/Pack_Wins_2014_Bitcoin_St_Petersburg_Bowl_34_27.aspx?path=football |access-date=November 21, 2019 |website=NC State University Athletics}}</ref> After his junior season, Samuels was able to participate in the 2016 Independence Bowl against Vanderbilt, where he caught three touchdown passes, the most in Independence Bowl history. Due to his contribution, he was named the MVP of the Independence Bowl.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 26, 2016 |title=N.C. State dismantles Vanderbilt, 41–17, to win the Independence Bowl |url=http://abc11.com/sports/nc-state-dismantles-vanderbilt-in-independence-bowl/1674160/ |access-date=April 10, 2018 |website=ABC 11 Eyewitness News}}</ref> During his senior season, Samuels set the NC State record for career receptions with 201 during his four years.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Giglio, Joe |date=December 28, 2017 |title=Jaylen Samuels didn't fit the mold. Now he could break an NCSU football record. |url=http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/nc-state/article191995824.html |access-date=April 10, 2018 |website=News & Observer}}</ref> After this season, Samuels was invited to the 2018 Senior Bowl.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Muma |first=Steven |date=December 11, 2017 |title=Jaylen Samuels is 3rd NC State player to accept Senior Bowl invite |url=https://www.backingthepack.com/nc-state-football/2017/12/11/16763210/senior-bowl-rosters-nc-state-jaylen-samuels-bj-hill-justin-jones |access-date=April 10, 2018 |website=Backing The Pack|publisher=SB Nation}}</ref> Following his senior season, he was honored as First Team All-Atlantic Coast Conference as an "All-Purpose" player as well as Third Team Associated Press All-American as a tight end. He finished his college career with 1,851 receiving yards, 1,107 rushing yards, and 47 total touchdowns.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jaylen Samuels College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/jaylen-samuels-1.html |access-date=February 24, 2019 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}</ref>
===College statistics=== {| class="wikitable" ! rowspan="2"| Year ! rowspan="2"| School ! rowspan="2"| Conf ! rowspan="2"| Class ! rowspan="2"| Pos ! rowspan="2"| G ! colspan="4" style="text-align: center; font-weight:bold;" | Receiving ! colspan="4" style="text-align: center; font-weight:bold;" | Rushing |- | style="font-weight:bold;" | Rec | style="font-weight:bold;" | Yds | style="font-weight:bold;" | Avg | style="font-weight:bold;" | TD | style="font-weight:bold;" | Att | style="font-weight:bold;" | Yds | style="font-weight:bold;" | Avg | style="font-weight:bold;" | TD |- | 2014 | NC State | ACC | FR | TE | 11 | 6 | 96 | 16.0 | 1 | 15 | 143 | 9.5 | 1 |- | 2015 | NC State | ACC | SO | TE | 13 | 65 | 597 | 9.2 | 7 | 56 | 368 | 6.6 | 9 |- | 2016 | NC State | ACC | JR | TE | 13 | 55 | 565 | 10.3 | 7 | 33 | 189 | 5.7 | 6 |- | 2017 | NC State | ACC | SR | TE | 13 | 75 | 593 | 7.9 | 4 | 78 | 407 | 5.2 | 12 |- | style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/jaylen-samuels-1.html Career] | style="font-weight:bold;" | NC State | colspan="3" style="font-weight:bold;" | | style="font-weight:bold;" | 50 | style="font-weight:bold;" | 201 | style="font-weight:bold;" | 1,851 | style="font-weight:bold;" | 9.2 | style="font-weight:bold;" | 19 | style="font-weight:bold;" | 182 | style="font-weight:bold;" | 1,107 | style="font-weight:bold;" | 6.1 | style="font-weight:bold;" | 28 |}
==Professional career== {{NFL predraft |height ft = 5 |height in = 11+1/2 |weight = 225 |dash = 4.54 | twenty split = 2.68 |ten split =1.63 |shuttle = 4.28 |cone drill = 6.93 |vertical = 34 1/2 |broad ft = 10 |broad in = 1 |bench = 18 | wonderlic = |arm span = 31+3/8 |hand span = 9+1/4 |note = All values from NFL Combine<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFL Draft Profile: Jaylen Samuels |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/jaylen-samuels?id=32462018-0002-5599-3042-1fab298cb54e |access-date=December 17, 2018 |website=NFL.com}}</ref> }}
===Pittsburgh Steelers===
====2018==== The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Samuels in the fifth round with the 165th overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2018 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2018/draft.htm |access-date=May 12, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}</ref> Samuels was the 14th running back drafted in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hartman |first=Jeff |date=April 28, 2018 |title=2018 NFL Draft Results: Pittsburgh Steelers select RB Jaylen Samuels with fifth round pick |url=https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2018/4/28/17296314/2018-nfl-draft-results-pittsburgh-steelers-select-rb-jaylen-samuels-with-fifth-round-pick-news |access-date=July 4, 2018 |website=Behind The Steel Curtain|publisher=SB Nation}}</ref> On May 9, 2018, the Steelers signed Samuels to a four-year, $2.71 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $258,066.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rutter |first=Joe |date=May 9, 2018 |title=Steelers sign 5th-rounder Jaylen Samuels to 4-year deal |url=https://triblive.com/sports/steelers/13633462-74/steelers-sign-5th-rounder-jaylen-samuels-to-4-year-deal |access-date=December 5, 2018 |website=Pittsburgh Tribune-Review}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Spotrac.com: Jaylen Samuels contract |url=https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/pittsburgh-steelers/jaylen-samuels-25266/ |access-date=December 17, 2018 |website=Spotrac.com}}</ref>
Due to a Week 13 injury to starter James Conner, Samuels earned his first career NFL start in Week 14 against the Oakland Raiders. In the game, Samuels rushed for 28 yards on 11 attempts and caught seven passes for 64 yards in a 24–21 loss.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pittsburgh Steelers at Oakland Raiders – December 9th, 2018 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201812090rai.htm |access-date=February 24, 2019 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}</ref> The following week against the New England Patriots, Samuels rushed 19 times for 142 yards and caught two passes for 30 yards in a 17–10 win.<ref>{{Cite web |title=New England Patriots at Pittsburgh Steelers – December 16th, 2018 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201812160pit.htm |access-date=February 24, 2019 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}</ref> His 142 rushing yards marked the second most by a rookie in Steelers history, behind only Bam Morris, who rushed for 146 yards against the New York Giants in 1994.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chester |first=Simon |date=December 22, 2018 |title=RB Jaylen Samuels wins Rookie of the Week honors for game against Patriots |url=https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2018/12/22/18152876/steelers-running-back-jaylen-samuels-wins-rookie-of-the-week-honors-for-game-vs-patriots-nfl-new |access-date=February 24, 2019 |website=Behind the Steel Curtain}}</ref> He finished the 2018 season with 56 carries for 256 rushing yards to go along with 26 receptions for 199 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns in 14 games.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jaylen Samuels 2018 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SamuJa00/gamelog/2018/ |access-date=May 12, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}</ref>
====2019==== In Week 4 against the Cincinnati Bengals, Samuels completed three passes for 31 yards, rushed 10 times for 26 yards and a touchdown, and caught eight passes for 57 yards in the 27–3 win.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 30, 2019 |title=Steelers break out of funk, stomp Bengals 27–3 |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=401128109 |access-date=September 30, 2019 |website=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> After missing two games due to a knee injury, Samuels returned to action in Week 9 against the Indianapolis Colts. In the game, Samuels rushed eight times for 10 yards and recorded 13 catches for 73 yards in the 26–24 win. Samuels's 13 catches in the game was a franchise record for catches by a running back in a game, surpassing LeVeon Bell's 12 catches in a game in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 3, 2019 |title=Vinatieri misses late, Steelers edge Colts 26–24 |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=401128083 |access-date=November 3, 2019 |website=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> Overall, Samuels finished the 2019 season with 175 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown to go along with 47 receptions for 305 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jaylen Samuels 2019 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SamuJa00/gamelog/2019/ |access-date=January 13, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}</ref>
====2020==== Samuels was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the Steelers on August 2, 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Varley |first=Teresa |date=August 2, 2020 |title=Samuels, Washington placed on reserve/COVID-19 list |url=https://www.steelers.com/news/samuels-washington-placed-on-reserve-covid-19-list |access-date=August 2, 2020 |website=Steelers.com}}</ref> He was activated from the list on August 13.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Varley |first=Teresa |date=August 13, 2020 |title=Samuels activated from reserve/COVID-19 list |url=https://www.steelers.com/news/samuels-activated-from-reserve-covid-19-list |access-date=August 14, 2020 |website=Steelers.com}}</ref> He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list again on November 10,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Varley |first=Teresa |date=November 10, 2020 |title=Steelers place four more on Reserve/COVID-19 List |url=https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-place-four-more-on-reserve-covid-19-list |access-date=December 17, 2020 |website=Steelers.com}}</ref> and activated again four days later.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Varley |first=Teresa |date=November 14, 2020 |title=Steelers activate four from Reserve/COVID-19 List |url=https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-activate-four-from-reserve-covid-19-list |access-date=December 17, 2020 |website=Steelers.com}}</ref> He appeared in 14 games and started one in the 2020 season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jaylen Samuels 2020 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SamuJa00/gamelog/2020/ |access-date=May 12, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}</ref>
====2021==== On August 31, 2021, Samuels was waived by the Steelers as part of final roster cuts and re-signed to the practice squad the next day.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Varley |first=Teresa |date=August 31, 2021 |title=Steelers make moves to get to 53 |url=https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-makes-moves-to-get-to-53 |access-date=May 12, 2023 |website=Steelers.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Varley |first=Teresa |date=September 1, 2021 |title=Steelers add 15 to practice squad |url=https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-add-15-to-practice-squad |access-date=May 12, 2023 |website=Steelers.com}}</ref> He was released on October 27.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Saunders |first=Alan |date=August 31, 2021 |title=Steelers Release Veteran RB Jaylen Samuels |url=https://steelersnow.com/steelers-release-veteran-rb-jaylen-samuels/ |access-date=May 12, 2023 |website=Steelers Now |language=en-US}}</ref>
===Houston Texans=== On October 29, 2021, Samuels was signed to the Houston Texans practice squad.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 29, 2021 |title=Houston Texans Transactions (10-29-2021) |url=https://www.houstontexans.com/news/houston-texans-transactions-10-29-2021 |access-date=May 12, 2023 |website=HoustonTexans.com}}</ref> Samuels finished the 2021 season with appearances in three games.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jaylen Samuels 2021 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SamuJa00/gamelog/2021/ |access-date=May 12, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}</ref>
===Arizona Cardinals=== On January 19, 2022, Samuels signed a reserve/future contract with the Arizona Cardinals.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Urban |first=Darren |date=January 19, 2022 |title=Cardinals Sign 15 Players To 'Futures' Contracts |url=https://www.azcardinals.com/news/cardinals-sign-15-players-to-futures-contracts-2022 |access-date=May 12, 2023 |website=AZCardinals.com}}</ref> He was released by the Cardinals on May 31.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Urban |first=Darren |date=May 31, 2022 |title=Cardinals Add Darrel Williams To Running Back Room |url=https://www.azcardinals.com/news/cardinals-add-darrel-williams-to-running-back-room |access-date=May 12, 2023 |website=AZCardinals.com}}</ref>
=== Houston Roughnecks === On December 8, 2023, Samuels signed with the Houston Roughnecks of the XFL.<ref>{{Cite web |title=XFL Transactions |url=https://www.xfl.com/xfl-transactions |access-date=December 11, 2023 |website=www.xfl.com |language=en |archive-date=March 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200316152142/https://www.xfl.com/xfl-transactions |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Roughnecks brand was transferred to the Houston Gamblers when the XFL and United States Football League merged to create the United Football League (UFL).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Seifert |first=Kevin |date=January 1, 2024 |title=Newly formed United Football League sets 8 markets, tabs coaches |url=https://www.espn.com/xfl/story/_/id/39222541/newly-formed-united-football-league-sets-8-markets-tabs-coaches |access-date=January 15, 2024 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref>
=== San Antonio Brahmas === On January 5, 2024, Samuels was drafted by the San Antonio Brahmas during the 2024 UFL dispersal draft.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UFL - Team Rosters |url=https://www.theufl.com/rosters |access-date=January 8, 2024 |website=TheUFL.com |language=en-us |archive-date=January 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240122174035/http://www.theufl.com/rosters |url-status=dead }}</ref> He was released by the Brahmas on March 10.<ref>{{Cite news |title=UFL Teams Set their Training Camp Rosters to 58 |url=https://uflboard.com/news/ufl-teams-set-their-training-camp-rosters-to-58/ |website=UFLBoard.com |date=March 10, 2024 |access-date=March 10, 2024}}</ref>
=== Ottawa Redblacks === On May 1, 2025, it was announced that Samuels had been signed by the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Redblacks transactions: May 1, 2025 |url=https://www.ottawaredblacks.com/2025/05/01/redblacks-transactions-may-1-2025/ |website=Ottawa Redblacks |date=May 1, 2025 |access-date=May 17, 2025}}</ref> However, he was part of the final training camp cuts on May 31.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ottawaredblacks.com/2025/05/31/redblacks-transactions-may-31-2025/ |title=Redblacks Transactions May 31, 2025 |publisher=Ottawa Redblacks |date=May 31, 2025}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{commons}} {{footballstats|espn=3116721|yahoo=31135|nfl=jaylen-samuels}} *[https://www.ottawaredblacks.com/players/jaylen-samuels/169485/ Ottawa Redblacks bio] *[https://gopack.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4759 NC State Wolfpack bio] *{{Twitter|JaySam1k}}
{{Steelers2018DraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Samuels, Jaylen}} Category:1996 births Category:Living people Category:Players of American football from Charlotte, North Carolina Category:American football running backs Category:NC State Wolfpack football players Category:Pittsburgh Steelers players Category:Houston Texans players Category:21st-century American sportsmen Category:Arizona Cardinals players Category:Mallard Creek High School alumni Category:Houston Roughnecks players Category:San Antonio Brahmas players Category:American football tight ends Category:Ottawa Redblacks players