Jan. 27, 2011
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By Christian Edwards
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. - The 2010 season was Philadelphia Eagles cornerback and UCF alum Asante Samuel's eighth season in the NFL. He has been named to four consecutive Pro Bowls (2008-11) and established himself as one of the best ball-hawking cornerbacks in the NFL. Samuel also holds the longest current streak of consecutive Pro Bowl selections by an NFL cornerback.
In 2010, Samuel started 10 of the 11 games he played in. He finished the 2010 season with 28 tackles (26 solo), seven interceptions and 14 pass breakups. His seven interceptions were tied for the second most in the NFL despite only playing in 11 games. He battled a concussion early in the season that forced him to miss one game. Samuel also was hampered by a knee injury that kept him out of the lineup for three consecutive weeks.
The 2011 Pro Bowl will take place this Sunday in Honolulu, Hawaii. Unfortunately due to injury, Samuel will not participate in the game. He started at cornerback in the 2010 Pro Bowl and finished the game with an interception and three pass defenses. Samuel is one of three former Knights to have played in the Pro Bowl joining quarterback Daunte Culpepper (2001, 2004, 2005) and receiver Brandon Marshall (2009, 2010). His four selections to the all-star game is a school record.
After being drafted by the New England Patriots in the fourth-round (120th overall) of the 2003 NFL Draft, Samuel played for five seasons with the Patriots (2003-07). He won two Super Bowls with the Patriots following the 2003 and 2004 seasons and was voted to the Pro Bowl after the 2007 season. Samuel signed with the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2007 offseason as an unrestricted free agent. With the Eagles, Samuel has been voted to three Pro Bowls and earned Associated Press second-team All Pro honors in 2009.
Since entering the league in 2003, Samuel ranks second in interceptions with 42. Among the active interception leaders, Samuel ranks fifth. He is the only player in the NFL to record at least four interceptions in each of the last five seasons (2006-10). He has played in 117 regular season games with 94 starts. Samuel's career regular season statistics include 339 tackles (295 solo) and 42 interceptions (four returned for a touchdown). He has also been a major contributor in the postseason where he has started 15 of the 19 games he has played in. His postseason statistics include 50 tackles (45 solo) and seven interceptions (four returned for a touchdown).
Samuel graduated from Boyd Anderson High School in 1999. He was a versatile athlete who played defensive back, quarterback, kick returner and punt returner. As a senior defensive back he recorded 75 tackles and four interceptions and garnered all-state and all-county honors. As a junior quarterback, he threw for 1,800 yards and rushed for 500 yards. Samuel also lettered in basketball and baseball.
After a productive high school career, Samuel played at UCF from 1999-2002 where he saw playing time as a defensive back, kickoff returner and punt returner. As a true freshman in 1999, Samuel played in all 11 games at free safety. He recorded 26 tackles (23 solo), two interceptions and six pass breakups as a sophomore in 2000. In 2001, Samuel was named to the All-Independent first team by Football News after recording 41 tackles (31 solo), two interceptions and a team-high 13 pass breakups as a junior. As a senior in 2002, he started the entire season at weak-side cornerback and recorded 48 tackles (42 solo) with three tackles for loss. He led the team with 15 pass breakups and four interceptions, and was an All-Mid-American Conference first-team selection. He finished his collegiate career with 127 tackles (102 solo), eight interceptions, and 38 pass breakups. His 38 pass breakups are a school career-record. He also had 63 punt returns for 673 yards (10.7 avg.) and 10 kickoff returns for 168 yards (16.8 avg.).
To catch the next round of NFL Knights in action for UCF as they defend the Conference USA championship, place your deposit now for 2011 football season tickets. Contact the UCF Athletics ticket office at (407) 823-1000 for more information or place your deposit online on the main ticket page at UCFAthletics.com. To learn about the newest Knights right from head coach George O'Leary and his staff, don't miss the FREE UCF Signing Day Show on Wednesday Feb. 2 at 6 p.m. at the UCF Arena.