Zane Samuel
Defensive End / Delta State
Christopher Reiss: What are your measurements? (Height and Weight)
Zane Samuel: 6’3, 250lbs.
Christopher Reiss: During this global pandemic, what have you been doing to prepare for the upcoming season?
Zane Samuel: When everything shut down due to COVID-19, I went to home based workouts. I have a weight rack at my house, it was easier for me to stay in shape and being prepared for the upcoming season.
Christopher Reiss: When breaking down your film, what should stand out?
Zane Samuel: When you watch my film, you will see my get off at the line of scrimmage. I am very explosive off the ball, and my hands at the point of attack too.
Christopher Reiss: What schools showed interest in you coming out of high school?
Zane Samuel: I was in between a few schools, but when I got injured my junior year of high school, all of those offers kind of just went away. The last remaining offer was Delta State University. One of the offers that also showed up at the end was West Alabama.
Christopher Reiss: In high school, what other positions did you play besides defensive end?
Zane Samuel: I only played defense in high school. I started off as a defensive back and worked my way down. I played linebacker before I started playing defensive end.
Christopher Reiss: In high school, what other sports did you play besides football?
Zane Samuel: The only other sport that I did in high school was track and field. The events that I did were the 100 meter and the 4×100 meter. I also threw the javelin and discus.
Christopher Reiss: What are the expectations for Delta State?
Zane Samuel: Our goal as a team is to take it one game at a time and grow together as a team. Once we do that, then we can work on reaching to getting to the Conference Championship all the way to the National Championship game.
Christopher Reiss: Is there anyone on Delta State that we should keep our eye out for this season?
Zane Samuel: DE Eric Sadler and CB Junior Faulk.
Christopher Reiss: How would you describe your overall college career?
Zane Samuel: My overall football career has been smooth. Freshman year, I was redshirted, but I learned a bunch. I actually worked my way on the field and got a spot on the roster, but I only played special teams. The first I was in on at defensive end, I made a touchdown and started to get into a rotation with other defensive ends. I was redshirted my junior year due to injury. You saw what I did last year, and I have only gotten better.
Christopher Reiss: What is the highlight of your career?
Zane Samuel: The highlight of my college career has to be beating West Georgia in 2017. West Georgia has beaten us for three straight years before this. Not only was it memorable for that, I also went up against an offensive tackle that went onto the next level and played for the Cleveland Browns. Plus, I played really well that game.
Christopher Reiss: What are some strengths of your game?
Zane Samuel: I told you before that I am very explosive off the snap. I have very good hand technique at the point of attack. What my defensive coach taught me, coach Green, is play recognition. Coach taught us how to read plays before they develop. Coach taught me how important film study is too.
Christopher Reiss: What are some assets of your game that you are trying to improve?
Zane Samuel: I want to become a more complete pass rusher. I want to be a player that offensive tackles see at Delta State and have them not want to play.
Christopher Reiss: What do you enjoy most about football?
Zane Samuel: What I enjoy most about football is the brotherhood that you build with your teammates. I love working and grinding to get better and on Saturday, all your hard work pays off.
Christopher Reiss: What are you majoring in?
Zane Samuel: I am majoring in sports management and minoring in business.
Christopher Reiss: What does life after football look like for you?
Zane Samuel: After my professional football career, I am going to get right into coaching for either the college or professional level. If that does not work out, I am going back to school and going to get my masters and own my own business.
Christopher Reiss: What or who motivates you?
Zane Samuel: I am very self-motivated. I have a daughter. I want to be able to give her whatever she wants in life. I like working and grinding for something, that is my personality. My family also gives me tons of motivation as well. It is also really cool to see that my brother is doing his thing too. He plays football in college as well.
Christopher Reiss: Is there a player that you look up to that plays in the NFL?
Zane Samuel: The player that I look up to is Maxx Crosby.
Christopher Reiss: What is your favorite NFL team?
Zane Samuel: I don’t really have a favorite team. I just really enjoy watching football.
Christopher Reiss: Who is your favorite NFL of all-time?
Zane Samuel: My all-time favorite player is Ray Lewis. The passion that he has for the game is something very similar to mine.
Christopher Reiss: What are some hobbies of yours?
Zane Samuel: When I have some free time, I enjoy playing the guitar and learning to invest. I don’t get a lot of time for myself, I have a daughter.
Christopher Reiss: On game-day, what is your go-to artist?
Zane Samuel: This is a hard one. I am going to have to go with Migos.
