At 17 years old, most kids are getting their driver’s license, attending prom or going on their first date.
Demetres Samuel Jr. is playing college football against kids five and six years older than him — and excelling.
This week, Fran Brown announced that Samuel — a two-way player — would be starting at cornerback and getting reps at wide receiver.
How often will we see him in there? That all depends on his body.
Samuel reclassified ahead one year academically so that he could start college early.
According to 247 Sports, he was a four-star recruit out of Heritage High School in Palm Bay, Florida.
Coach Brown says that he thinks Samuel’s reps have been split 60-40, with the higher percentage of the reps on defense.
Part of the reason that Samuel has been able to thrive is because of his teammates.
The corner room — like so many other rooms this year for Syracuse football — is defined by its youth.
Georgia transfer Chris Peal — a redshirt sophomore who is expected to get playing time at corner as well — says Samuel’s age doesn’t define him.
Syracuse football’s first opponent is Tennessee.
Their starting quarterback, Joey Aguilar, is 24 years old.
Samuel, in his first game on national television, will be going up against a guy who has seven years on him.
Check out the video below to see what Samuel’s teammates and coaches have been saying about him.