Richard Samuel: A Running Back to Watch at Georgia

Speed, cutting ability, and a willingness to do whatever the coach asks of him are the characteristics of Georgia sophomore running back Richard Samuel.

Although sidelined with a wrist injury this spring, Samuel looks to be in the mix for the right to succeed Knowshon Moreno as the main tailback in Georgia's offense.

So, who is this kid? Where did he come from? What is his story?

In August, 2006, I accepted a job to work in the sports department of The Daily Tribune News in Cartersville, Ga. The town is famous for producing the likes of former NBA basketball player Eddie Lee Wilkins, current Miami Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown and a fella named Rudy York.

At that time, Samuel wasn't well known. In fact, in his sophomore season of high school the year before, he only had 12 rushes for 52 yards and a few kick returns.

The town had seen its share of has-beens, know-nothings and countless kids saying they would be the next big thing.

But not Richard Samuel. No way was he the next big thing...Well, at least that's what the linebacker from Southeast Whitfield High School was thinking when Samuel's Cass Colonels met them in the opening game of the 2006 season.

Seconds into the game, Samuel saw an opening in the line and went through it only to be met by this unnamed linebacker.

What proceeded to happen next was a train wreck that saw the linebacker go down-and-out for the count, and Samuel found himself in the end zone 62 yards later. He went on to score four more touchdowns that night.

Not too shabby for a kid who was still 15-years old.

Someone made the comment that, "This Richard Samuel fella is going to be a good football player."

And the laughs came a rollin'.

"Not a football player from Cass. Nobody has come from Cass to be a big-time football player."

So, the laughs continued for the next two weeks, all the while, Samuel rolled up nine more touchdowns.

That set up the big stage—the big town rivalry between Cartersville at Cass.

This time, Cass actually had a chance. In the previous week, everyone picked Cartersville, except one, as the laughs continued to come.

As the game got underway and most people in the county got their first look at Samuel, a few stares came down the sideline and in the press box wondering who this kid was.

Was he the real deal?

He was, and Samuel almost single-handedly propelled his team to the win, but Cass lost in overtime, 41-34.

But the season wasn't over, as Samuel continued to rack up the yards and touchdowns, and led his team to only their second-ever state playoff appearance in the 50-year history of the school.

Playing on the defensive side of the ball as well, Samuel's tackles could be felt miles away. Eventually, offenses ran plays to the other side of the field from where Samuel was.

Samuel loved contact so much that while on offense, he would run towards a defender just so he could hit them.

By the time his senior season rolled around, everyone knew who this kid was and he had already committed to play at UGA.

His senior season, being just 16 years old, Samuel picked up where he left off his junior year. His bone-crushing hits on defense and his burst of speed on offense only made his teammates salivate at the possibilities of the season.

Then, this kid did something that you see once, maybe twice, in a lifetime.

During an opposing team's field goal attempt before the end of the half, the ball snapped and Samuel lept over both lines (offensive and defensive) without touching anyone, landed on his feet beyond the line, blocked the field goal, picked up the ball and ran it 76 yards the other way for a touchdown.

His senior season closed down and Samuel enrolled early at UGA.

He then began his freshman season in which he thought he would be red-shirted. However, his play in spring and fall practice convinced head coach Mark Richt to put him at No. 2 on the depth chart ahead of Caleb King.

Although he made mistakes during his freshman season, one must remember the kid was still 17 at the time and playing SEC football. This kid learns from his mistakes and only gets better from them.

So, where is all of this going you might ask?

The competition for UGA's running back spot will no doubt be intense through the rest of spring and fall practices. In the end, however, look for Samuel to come out on top as he shows his game-play ability and his ability to adapt and overcome the adversity he is put through.

Knowshon Moreno's heir could be an 18-year old sophomore from a town where not many thought Samuel's kind of talent could be possible.