The hype around Demetres Samuel is real.
Syracuse's potential two-way freshman, who is still just 17 years old, just had the bar raised in a big way by ESPN on Monday.
The national outlet ranked Samuel as No. 8 on its "top freshmen" list for the 2025 college football season.
Not bad for a guy who was outside the top-200 on that same outlet's recruiting ranks.
Here's what ESPN's Billy Tucker had to write about Samuel:
"Samuel was originally ranked as the 223rd player in the ESPN 300. After reclassifying, it seemed the 17-year-old would need more time to develop. But that might not be the case. He's 6-foot-1, 190 pounds with blazing 10.5 100-meter speed, fluid hips and ball skills. The ultra-skilled, dynamic athlete has legitimate two-way potential for the Orange this fall. Though it's unfair to compare him to Travis Hunter, Samuel flashed enough in the spring and now in preseason camp to warrant it. He initially projected as a safety and isn't afraid to make tackles in the box. He also has the short-burst speed to close fast and match up in man-to-man on the outside at corner. His impact in 2025 should come in an inexperienced cornerback room. Production at receiver would be a bonus."
As Tucker writes, Samuel is expected to see more time at cornerback early.
But when a player is this talented, who is betting against him breaking through in every way he can?
The Orange lost a ton of receiving production from last year's team, either to the NFL or transfer. There is opportunity there to catch passes from whoever wins the QB competition between Rickie Collins and Steve Angeli.
Samuel may not get out there on offense this year, although it wouldn't shock anyone. But down the road, he's got a shot to do the double and make it happen both ways.
That would be one of the most exciting developments for Syracuse's football program in a long time. SU fans just hope Samuel lives up to the hype.
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