Three-star defensive end DJ Samuels took in the first scrimmage of his junior year on Tuesday when Bergen Catholic (NJ) faced DePaul (NJ), the first opportunity to tackle another team since prior to COVID. The return to a ‘normal’ season didn’t go unnoticed as Samuels was appreciative of the chance to suit up. “It felt good hitting someone that wasn’t my teammate. I felt like it was just good for everybody getting back out there,” Samuels added.
But before he officially kicked off the beginning of his junior season, Samuels took advantage of the return of college visits this summer as he got a chance to check out Maryland, Michigan, Penn State, Clemson, Rutgers, and Temple. Among the six schools, only Maryland can say they were able to host the 6-foot, 240-pound defensive end twice as Samuels breaks down what he learned about the Terps. “Got to meet the whole coaching staff and I got a couple of friends in my class that are committed to Maryland, ‘Champ’ Long, the quarterback. We both went back down there to see it and everything,” Samuels told Inside the Black and Gold. “Once he committed, he told me the coaching staff is great and when I got back down there both times, I definitely enjoyed the coaching staff and I talk to coach [Henry] Baker a lot and he’s definitely making me feel at home at Maryland.”
Cornerbacks coach Henry Baker has tapped into New Jersey since he joined the program last summer and is the lead recruiter for the Terps’ first verbals in both the 2022 and 2023 class. The personable touch that Baker carries on the recruiting trail is a trait that other prospects have highlighted in the past, and according to Samuels, he’s enjoying a comfortable relationship in the early stages. “The relationship is definitely good. He just wants to see his recruits go be great and I love that about him. He checks in on me weekly, how my day went and everything.”
The New Jersey native also got a chance to meet with head coach Mike Locksley. “I talked to coach [Mike] Locksley both times I went up there and he was just happy to see me down there and get to build the relationship after watching my film when they offered me. It was just great.” Samuels also got a chance to see the full campus and facilities during both trips to College Park. “The campus was great and the coaching staff, they were really locked in with the team. They meet everyday, talk about a lot amongst each other and it was just really great. It was cool.”
While both visits gave Samuels a firm grasp of what the Terps can offer him at the next level, he also sees a “perfect fit” for how the defensive staff wants to use him. “They want me to be an outside rusher, linebacker for them and then drop back in coverage for them. I think it’s perfect for me because I’m athletic enough to drop in coverage and still rush for them on the outside. It’s a perfect fit position-wise for me.”
Samuels added that though he does not have any dates set for gameday visits, he’ll look to return to College Park to see the gameday atmosphere for himself. “If I find the time, I definitely want to make it for a game down there.”
Samuels is rated a three-star prospect and an 85 overall by 247Sports, sitting as the tenth-best player in New Jersey.