DJ Samuels
RB · Redshirt Junior
6'1" · 255 lbs · Offense
Also wearing #20: Ontario Washington Jr. (DB)
Background
- Hometown
- Englewood, NJ
- High school
- Bergen Catholic
Recruiting
- Rating
- 3-star (0.8564 247 composite)
- National rank
- #1232
- Class
- 2023
- Source
- 247 composite
2026 season
No 2026 stats recorded yet.
Season by season
2025tap to read
Saw action in four games before suffering a season-ending injury in Maryland's win over Wisconsin. Played on offense, defense and special teams for the Terps. Had a reception, kickoff return and made two tackles prior to his injury.
2024tap to read
Played in all 12 games Totaled 14 tackles (9 solo), six tackles for a loss and one pass defended Caught one touchdown Has a combined 5.0 TFL over last two games Three tackles with 2.0 TFL at No. 1 Oregon (11/9) Came out of fullback position to catch first career receiving TD at Minnesota (10/26), also added career-high five tackles with career-high 3.0 TFL for 16 yards Became first power conference player since 2012 with at least one receiving TD and 3.0 TFL in the same game (UCLA’s Datone Jones) PBU at Indiana (9/28) First career TFL at Virginia (9/14), career-high two tackles
2023tap to read
Appeared in seven games Before Maryland: 16th ranked player in New Jersey, via On3 Bergen Catholic’s all-time sacks leader Helped lead Bergen Catholic to three-straight state championships Three-time First Team All-State Tallied 28 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, six sacks and five pass breakups in senior 2022 season, while also rushing 29 times for 256 yards and six touchdowns 2021 New Jersey Defensive Player of the Year Tallied 29 tackles and nine sacks in 2021 Chose Maryland over Rutgers, Penn State and West Virginia Personal: He enjoys watching Martin, Friday, and Roll Bounce His favorite rapper is Gunna His favorite candy is Skittles His favorite restaurant is Outback Antonio Pizzigati Memorial Scholarship recipient Career Highs: Tackles: 6 (at Minnesota 10/26/24) TFL: 3.0 (at Minnesota 10/26/24) Receiving Touchdowns: 1 (at Minnesota 10/26/24)
Official bio
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SAMUELS IN THE NEWS:
A Man of Many Abilities
As a Junior (2025):
Saw action in four games before suffering a season-ending injury in Maryland's win over Wisconsin.
Played on offense, defense and special teams for the Terps.
Had a reception, kickoff return and made two tackles prior to his injury.
As a Sophomore (2024):
Played in all 12 games
Totaled 14 tackles (9 solo), six tackles for a loss and one pass defended
Caught one touchdown
Has a combined 5.0 TFL over last two games
Three tackles with 2.0 TFL at No. 1 Oregon (11/9)
Came out of fullback position to catch first career receiving TD at Minnesota (10/26), also added career-high five tackles with career-high 3.0 TFL for 16 yards
Became first power conference player since 2012 with at least one receiving TD and 3.0 TFL in the same game (UCLA’s Datone Jones)
PBU at Indiana (9/28)
First career TFL at Virginia (9/14), career-high two tackles
As a Freshman (2023):
Appeared in seven games
Before Maryland:
16th ranked player in New Jersey, via On3
Bergen Catholic’s all-time sacks leader
Helped lead Bergen Catholic to three-straight state championships
Three-time First Team All-State
Tallied 28 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, six sacks and five pass breakups in senior 2022 season, while also rushing 29 times for 256 yards and six touchdowns
2021 New Jersey Defensive Player of the Year
Tallied 29 tackles and nine sacks in 2021
Chose Maryland over Rutgers, Penn State and West Virginia
Personal:
He enjoys watching Martin, Friday, and Roll Bounce
His favorite rapper is Gunna
His favorite candy is Skittles
His favorite restaurant is Outback
Antonio Pizzigati Memorial Scholarship recipient
Career Highs:
Tackles: 6 (at Minnesota 10/26/24)
TFL: 3.0 (at Minnesota 10/26/24)
Receiving Touchdowns: 1 (at Minnesota 10/26/24)