SAMUEL

Freshman running back trains both body and mind

By: JASON BUTT

Posted: 7/27/08

If you didn't know, then you would never guess how old Richard Samuel is. The freshman running back's body is already physically ready for college football. His time this summer has been spent increasing his strength, and his mind has stayed focused on success in the classroom.

But if he wanted to buy cigarettes, he'd better have a fake ID. Yes, a fake ID stating he's 18 years old. However, Samuel's not concerned about that.

"It doesn't bother me at all because I'm not interested in doing anything down there at all," he said. "Right now, 18, 21, it doesn't matter."

Samuel, just 17 years old, has made quite an impression on his teammates since arriving in Athens this January. He's proved to be a weight room warrior, leading his fellow Bulldogs to forget he's the youngest one on the team.

"I saw him squat 500 pounds about two days ago," said wide receiver Kris Durham. "He's strong. He's just an incredible athlete."

Added linebacker Rennie Curran, "He's definitely young in age, but a lot older in terms of his mindset and his focus.... When you look at him, you don't think about his age until someone says it."

However, one attribute that makes him appear older than his age is how he's attacked the classroom. While still undecided, Samuel plans to major in either sports science or business, and as an early enrollee in January, he took a full load of classes in addition to taking two more classes this summer.

"I'm just getting some hours under my belt," Samuel said. "After the fall, hopefully I'll be a sophomore."

Samuel credits his mother, Donna Frye, as the person who placed academics over football. He said his mother checks in all the time to make sure he's on top of his studies.

"My mom plays a great role, more so in academics than in football," Samuel said. "She doesn't care about football as much, she just cares that I get all my grades in. She calls me every day asking if I got my homework done and how my grades are looking."

Although he was a highly touted prospect, Samuel said he's looking at college as an opportunity to open lots of doors down the road and not just rely on football.

"I'm not looking for football to be the thing for me," Samuel said. "If it happens, it happens, if it don't, then it doesn't matter. I'm not going to get really down about it. If it doesn't work out, then I'll pursue whatever my major is."

Not a bad outlook for someone 17 years young.