1997 Highlights

• One of 10 finalists for the Buck Buchanan Award (and one of just two juniors), given annually to the nation's top I-AA defensive player by The Sports Network
• Named to the New England Football Writers Division I All-New England team
• Second team All-Atlantic 10 Conference pick
• Second in the A-10 in tackles-for-loss (17)
• Second on the team and third in the Atlantic 10 Conference with 123 total tackles
• Recorded double-digit tackles in eight of 11 games
• Named A-10 Defensive Player of the Week (Sept. 1), after posting a career-high 19 tackes (11 solo) with three tackles-for-loss in the season-opener vs. Richmond

Career Highlights

• Third all-time at UMass in career total tackles (365)
• Fourth all-time at UMass in career solo tackles (233)
• Ninth all-time at UMass in career sacks (17.0)
• Has recorded double-digit tackle numbers in 23 of his 36 career games
• Third team All-Yankee Conference selection in 1996
• Second on the team and third in the Yankee Conference in tackles during the 1996 season with 118 (77 solo)
• His 77 solo stops in 1996 ranked sixth on the UMass single-season chart

Biography

What They're Saying About Samuel

"Khari Samuel is as good a linebacker as there is in the country."
-- Richmond head coach Jim Reid

"Khari Samuel is a dominating NFL-type football player. He's as good as it gets."
-- Buffalo head coach Craig Cirbus

"Khari Samuel is as good a defensive player as there is in the Atlantic 10 Conference. He makes big hits and big plays all over the football field."
-- New Hampshire head coach Bill Bowes