Curtis Samuel

Curtis Samuel Bio

Curtis Samuel is an American professional football wide receiver and kickoff returner for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes, winning the 2015 College Football Playoff National Championship and earning First-team All-American honors in 2016. Samuel was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft and played four seasons with them before joining the Washington Commanders for three seasons. He signed with the Buffalo Bills in 2024. Throughout his career, Samuel has established himself as a versatile offensive weapon capable of making an impact as a receiver, rusher, and return specialist.

Early Life and Background

Curtis Samuel was born on August 11, 1996, in Brooklyn, New York. He attended Erasmus Hall High School in Brooklyn, where he played as a running back for the Dutchmen football team and also competed in track and field. During his junior year, Samuel averaged 11.5 yards per carry while rushing for 1,047 yards and 13 touchdowns. He earned recognition as the New York Daily News City Player of the Year in 2012. In track, he demonstrated exceptional speed by winning the 55 meters at the New York State track and field championships with a time of 6.44 seconds.

In his senior year at Erasmus Hall, Samuel averaged 15.8 yards per rush for 1,461 yards and 17 touchdowns. His outstanding performance earned him the 2013 New York Gatorade Player of the Year award, and he was invited to the All-American Bowl. Beyond his rushing exploits, Samuel also contributed as a receiver with three touchdowns and added two punt return touchdowns, showcasing the multi-dimensional skill set that would define his professional career.

Path to the NFL

As a 4-star running back recruit, Samuel committed to play college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes. He arrived in Columbus with high expectations and immediately contributed to the program during the 2014 to 2016 seasons under head coach Urban Meyer. His versatility as both a rusher and receiver made him a unique weapon in the Buckeyes offense, setting the stage for his eventual transition to wide receiver at the professional level.

Samuel played a key role in Ohio State’s 2015 College Football Playoff National Championship season, contributing 132 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown alongside 289 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns. His most prolific collegiate season came in 2016, when he recorded 771 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns to go along with 865 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns. He earned First-team All-Big Ten and First-team All-American honors that season. Remarkably, Samuel became the only player in Ohio State history to gain over 1,000 career yards in both rushing and receiving, a testament to his exceptional versatility and athletic ability.

Curtis Samuel Career

Carolina Panthers (2017–2020)

Prior to the 2017 NFL Draft, Samuel switched positions from running back to wide receiver during the pre-draft process. The Carolina Panthers selected him in the second round with the 40th overall pick. On May 5, 2017, Samuel signed a four-year, $6.45 million contract with $4.05 million guaranteed and a $2.83 million signing bonus. His rookie season began promisingly with his first career receptions coming in Week 2 against the Buffalo Bills, recording two catches for seven yards in the 9-3 victory.

Samuel’s rookie campaign was cut short when he suffered a left ankle injury during Monday Night Football against the Miami Dolphins in Week 10. The injury required surgery, and he was placed on injured reserve on November 24, 2017. He finished his rookie year with 15 receptions for 115 receiving yards and four carries for 64 rushing yards in nine games. The following season, Samuel scored his first career touchdown on October 7, 2018, against the New York Giants and finished the year with 39 receptions for 494 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns, plus two rushing touchdowns.

In the 2019 season, Samuel continued his development with 54 receptions for 627 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns, along with 130 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown. His 2020 season represented a breakout year, as he recorded career highs with 77 receptions for 851 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns, adding 200 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns on the ground. He posted a season-high 118 receiving yards against the New Orleans Saints in Week 17. Samuel was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list in December 2020 but was activated shortly thereafter.

Washington Commanders (2021–2023)

On March 18, 2021, Samuel signed a three-year, $34.5 million contract with the Washington Football Team, reuniting him with his college teammate Terry McLaurin. His first season with Washington was plagued by injuries, as he began training camp on the physically unable to perform list due to a groin injury. He later contracted COVID-19 and returned to the PUP list before being activated in August. He tweaked his groin again before the season opener and was placed on injured reserve, eventually returning to the active roster on October 1, 2021.

Samuel bounced back in the 2022 season, playing all 17 games while being occasionally used as both a running back and wide receiver. He recorded 64 receptions for 646 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns, along with 187 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown. His versatility was on full display as he contributed meaningfully in multiple facets of the offense. For the 2023 season, Samuel changed his uniform number to 4 and recorded 62 receptions for 613 yards and four touchdowns, including a 100-yard receiving game in Week 12 against the Dallas Cowboys.

Buffalo Bills (2024–Present)

On March 14, 2024, Samuel signed a three-year, $24 million deal with the Buffalo Bills. He joined a high-powered offense led by quarterback Josh Allen and provided additional depth at the wide receiver position. Samuel finished the 2024 season with 31 receptions for 253 yards and one touchdown, which came in Week 11 against the Kansas City Chiefs.

The 2024 postseason marked a significant milestone in Samuel’s career as he made his postseason debut in the Wild Card round against the Denver Broncos. He scored his first career postseason touchdown on a 55-yard reception from Josh Allen in the fourth quarter of the 31-7 victory. Samuel continued his strong play into the AFC Championship game against the Chiefs, scoring another touchdown. In the 2025 season, Samuel began the year as a backup wide receiver, recording seven receptions for 81 yards and a touchdown across six appearances before being placed on injured reserve on November 28, 2025, due to an elbow injury. He was activated from injured reserve on January 16, 2026, ahead of Buffalo’s divisional round matchup against the Denver Broncos. On March 6, 2026, Samuel was released by the Bills.

Driving Style and Strengths

Samuel’s greatest asset is his exceptional versatility as an offensive weapon. His background as a running back provides him with elite elusiveness and run-after-catch ability that many traditional wide receivers lack. His track speed, demonstrated by his 6.44-second 55-meter time in high school, translates to the ability to stretch the field and create separation. Samuel excels at finding soft spots in zone defenses and possesses reliable hands with the ability to make contested catches. His experience returning kicks adds another dimension to his game, allowing coaches to deploy him in multiple roles depending on game situations.

Notable Events and Milestones

Throughout his career, Samuel has achieved several notable milestones. His college career at Ohio State, where he became the only player in school history to record over 1,000 career yards in both rushing and receiving, established his unique dual-threat capability. In the NFL, his 2020 season with the Panthers represented his most productive year statistically, while his playoff performance in the 2024 season with the Bills gave him his first taste of postseason success. His 55-yard playoff touchdown reception against the Broncos stands as one of the defining moments of his career.

Curtis Samuel Career Statistics

Across his nine NFL seasons, Samuel has accumulated 355 career receptions for 3,717 receiving yards and 24 receiving touchdowns. He has also contributed 729 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns on 152 carries, along with 619 return yards. His most productive season came in 2020 with the Panthers when he recorded 77 receptions for 851 yards and three touchdowns.

NFL Career Highlights

Samuel’s best statistical season came in 2020 with the Panthers, where he posted career highs in receptions and receiving yards. His 2018 season featured his first career touchdown, while his 2022 season with the Commanders showcased his dual-threat ability with 64 receptions and 187 rushing yards. His 2024 season with the Bills was highlighted by his postseason success, including a 55-yard touchdown in the Wild Card round victory over the Broncos.

Other Achievements

Prior to his NFL career, Samuel achieved significant success at Ohio State. He was part of the 2015 College Football Playoff National Championship team and earned First-team All-American and First-team All-Big Ten honors in 2016. His high school career was equally impressive, as he was named the 2013 New York Gatorade Player of the Year and the 2012 New York Daily News City Player of the Year while at Erasmus Hall High School.

Curtis Samuel Family

Family Background and Upbringing

Samuel grew up in Brooklyn, New York, where he attended Erasmus Hall High School. His athletic abilities were evident from a young age, excelling not only in football but also in track and field. His upbringing in New York City provided him with the foundation to develop his skills against strong competition, ultimately leading him to become one of the most versatile offensive players to come out of the city in his generation.

Personal Life

Throughout his NFL career, Samuel has maintained connections to his Ohio State roots. Upon joining Washington, he was reunited with his college roommate Terry McLaurin, with whom he developed a strong friendship during their time at Ohio State. Samuel is known for his social media presence, maintaining active accounts on Instagram and X where he engages with fans. Public details about his marital status and children are not available.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season began with Samuel serving in a backup role for the Buffalo Bills offense. Through six appearances, he recorded seven receptions for 81 yards and one touchdown, showing flashes of the playmaking ability that has defined his career. His involvement in the offense remained limited as the Bills featured several other weapons at the receiver position. On November 28, 2025, Samuel was placed on injured reserve due to an elbow injury, ending his regular season contributions.

Despite the injury, Samuel demonstrated value when available, catching his one target for a touchdown during the season. The Bills’ offense continued to rely heavily on quarterback Josh Allen’s connections with his primary receivers, leaving Samuel to contribute in a complementary role. His experience and versatility remained valuable assets for the team’s offensive flexibility, even if his statistical output was reduced compared to earlier seasons of his career.

The season took a positive turn when Samuel was activated from injured reserve on January 16, 2026, ahead of Buffalo’s playoff matchup against the Denver Broncos in the divisional round. His return provided additional depth for the Bills as they pursued a Super Bowl berth. The playoff experience gained during the 2024 season clearly benefited Samuel, as his ability to contribute in high-pressure situations made him a valuable asset for the Bills’ postseason run. The team remained optimistic about his role moving forward, though his release on March 6, 2026, marked the end of his tenure with the organization.