Reclassified 17-year-old who walked into the ACC and started all 12 games at corner as a true freshman — Freshman All-America honors from The Athletic, nine passes defensed, and coverage grades PFF ranked among the top seven nationally. Samuel's arc is already local legend at Syracuse: offenses tested him early, then stopped throwing his way, and the staff sneaked him snaps on offense and special teams because the athleticism demanded it. The age math is outrageous — he will play his third college season before most prospects play their second. Still, one interception against nine breakups leaves finishing plays as the visible gap, and freshman coverage grades need a sophomore-year stress test before the first-round ambitions he talks about openly get taken at face value. His stated goal is the 2028 draft as a 20-year-old, which the calendar allows since he left high school a year early. Two seasons out, this is a Day 3-graded profile today with one of the steepest ascents in the country.

• Inside the Loud House Apr 3, 2024

  Syracuse Football: 4-star commit Demetres Samuel Jr. wants to build 'dynasty' at SU - Inside the Loud House