When Traveon Samuel sees an opening, he makes up his mind quickly, following the instincts that have served him well during three outstanding seasons at Central High School in Phenix City, Ala.
That’s what we’re left to conclude after the 5-foot-8, 171-pound wide receiver signed a letter of intent Friday to play his college football at the University of Louisville.
National signing day isn’t until Feb. 4 but Samuel wants to get an early start, planning to enroll at UofL for the winter semester.
Samuel incurred a fractured fibula after taking a helmet to the lower part of a leg in the first round of Alabama’s 7A playoffs a couple of weeks ago. His team was eliminated the following week.
“He’s always been one who can talk,” said Jamey DuBose, the Central coach. “He’s not a quiet leader. He’s a guy who knows how to talk and he’s a guy people listen to.”
Samuel appeared in 10 games this season as a senior, accounting for 1,764 all-purpose yards. He rushed 111 times for 861 yards and 11 touchdowns, while catching 39 passes for 553 yards and three more scores.
During his junior season in 2013, Samuel racked up 781 rushing yards, 452 receiving yards and 24 total touchdowns. As a sophomore, Samuel totaled 823 yards on the ground and 19 touchdowns, while catching 43 passes for 734 yards receiving and five touchdowns.
He wants the ball. Knows what to do with it.