Kentucky Football Countdown: No. 44 Terry Samuels

Something about SEC Media Days really gets you in the mood for Kentucky football, right? Fear not — we are just 44 days from kickoff. To celebrate this special day, we look back on a former Kentucky great who inspired both on and off the field.

No. 44 Terry Samuels

Terry Samuels is a native of Louisville, Kentucky. By the time he graduated from Male High School in 1989, he had earned a scholarship to the University of Kentucky and was set to play running back in Lexington. It wasn’t an easy road to get there, though.

Samuels was raised by a single mother. The family struggled financially throughout his childhood, even losing their home at one point. Football was the only way out — at least he thought so at the time.

Once in Lexington, he had a successful career with the Wildcats. He played in 10 games his freshman year, accumulating 548 total yards. His stats dipped a bit his sophomore year with 412 yards and one touchdown. His junior year, also his last as a running back, saw a total of 407 yards and four touchdowns.

He was moved to tight end his final year as a Wildcat, ending with 139 receiving yards and three touchdowns. It was at that position he would be drafted by the Arizona Cardinals.

Samuels was picked up by Arizona in the 6th round of the 1994 NFL Draft (No. 172, to be exact). His career with them was short-lived, though. He played 16 games his rookie year but totaled just 58 total yards and eight receptions. He played in only four games in his second year, prompting the Cardinals to go their separate ways with him.

Though he was just one semester shy of graduation at the time of the draft in ’94, a college degree didn’t seem all that important. However, his perspective changed when he was released. He re-enrolled at UK in the fall of 2016. One month later, he crossed the stage and earned a social work degree.