University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts Official Athletic Site - Football
#26 Khari Samuel
Senior * LB * 6-3 * 240 * Framingham, Mass. (Framingham)
1998 Season Highlights
- Has recorded 30 tackles (18 solo) despite missing the past game and a half due to a contusion on his right thigh
- Leads the Atlantic 10 with four forced fumbles
- Posted 12 tackles (seven solo) while forcing fumble which led to winning touchdown in win against Richmond (Sept. 12)
- Posted team-high 14 tackles (eight solo) in season opener at Delaware (Sept. 3)
- Preseason first team All-Atlantic 10 Conference selection (by media and coaches and by The Sporting News)
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
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
Career Statistics
| Year | UT | AT | TT | Sacks | TFL | INT | PBu |
| 1995 | 62 | 32 | 94 | 7.0 | 10 | 1 | 2 |
| 1996 | 77 | 41 | 118 | 6.0 | 9 | 0 | 4 |
| 1997 | 76 | 47 | 123 | 3.0 | 17 | 0 | 2 |
| 1998 | 18 | 12 | 30 | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Totals | 233 | 132 | 365 | 17.0 | 37 | 1 | 9 |