Asante Samuel Jr. is an NFL cornerback currently playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Florida State product entered the league with the Los Angeles Chargers as a second-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft and quickly became a regular starter in the secondary. His career has included productive seasons in Los Angeles, a move to Pittsburgh, and several injury interruptions that affected his availability.
For readers searching for Asante Samuel Jr., the key points are his NFL career, current Steelers role, statistics, college background, draft history, and connection to former NFL cornerback Asante Samuel Sr.
Who Is Asante Samuel Jr.?
Asante Samuel Jr. is a professional cornerback who played college football at Florida State before entering the NFL. He was selected by the Chargers in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
The Steelers list him at 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds, with Florida State as his college. He wears No. 22 in Pittsburgh.
His early NFL career was defined by consistent playing time. During his first three seasons with the Chargers, he appeared in 12, 17 and 17 games, respectively, while starting 12, 15 and 16 games. His 2024 season was much shorter, with four appearances.
Asante Samuel Jr. Career Stats
Samuel’s production shows why he became an established NFL defensive back. Through the statistics currently listed by the NFL, his career includes seven interceptions and 39 passes defended in the regular season.
His strongest statistical stretch came with Los Angeles from 2021 through 2023. He recorded two interceptions in each of those seasons and reached 13 passes defended in 2023. That 2023 campaign was also his most active season in terms of games played, with 17 appearances and 16 starts.
| Season | Team | Games | Starts | Tackles | Interceptions | Passes Defended |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Chargers | 12 | 12 | 43 | 2 | 11 |
| 2022 | Chargers | 17 | 15 | 57 | 2 | 11 |
| 2023 | Chargers | 17 | 16 | 63 | 2 | 13 |
| 2024 | Chargers | 4 | 4 | 13 | 0 | 2 |
| 2025 | Steelers | 6 | 3 | 10 | 1 | 1 |
| 2026* | Steelers | 2 | 2 | 6 | — | 1 |
*2026 statistics reflect the games listed by the NFL at the time of publication.
From Florida State to the NFL
Before becoming an NFL defensive back, Samuel played three seasons at Florida State. He appeared in 32 games and finished his college career with 96 tackles, 33 passes defended and four interceptions.
His final college season in 2020 was particularly productive. He recorded 31 tackles, three interceptions and nine passes defended in eight games and earned first-team All-ACC honors. The Steelers also note that he led the conference in passes defended per game that season.
That production helped establish Samuel as a highly regarded defensive prospect before the 2021 draft. The Chargers selected him in Round 2, giving him an early opportunity to compete for a significant role in an NFL secondary.
What Happened to Samuel With the Chargers?
Samuel spent four seasons with the Chargers from 2021 through 2024. He became a regular starter during his first three campaigns, but injuries limited him to four games in 2024.
Across his four Chargers seasons, he accumulated six interceptions and 37 passes defended, according to the Steelers’ team biography. His availability changed significantly in 2024, making that season a notable interruption in what had otherwise been a consistent beginning to his professional career.
💡 Pro Tip: When evaluating a cornerback’s career, look beyond interceptions. Starts, games played, passes defended and defensive snap participation provide useful context because an interception total alone does not describe how consistently a player was used.
Asante Samuel Jr. With the Pittsburgh Steelers
Samuel joined the Steelers after initially spending part of the 2025 season on Pittsburgh’s practice squad. He was later elevated to the active roster and appeared in six regular-season games, starting three. He recorded 10 tackles, one interception and one pass defended in those appearances.
His first Steelers interception came against the Miami Dolphins on December 15, 2025, when he started at cornerback and recorded two tackles along with the interception.
Pittsburgh re-signed Samuel on a one-year contract during 2026 free agency. Early in the 2026 regular season, the team’s roster page lists him as an active cornerback, with six tackles and one pass defended through two games.
Family Background and NFL Connection
Asante Samuel Jr. is the son of former NFL cornerback Asante Samuel Sr., who played 11 seasons with the New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles and Atlanta Falcons.
The family connection naturally draws attention, but the younger Samuel has established his own professional record. His path includes a successful Florida State career, a second-round draft selection and substantial starting experience with the Chargers before his move to Pittsburgh.
A Notable Playoff Achievement
One of the most unusual moments in Samuel’s career came during the Chargers’ 2022 postseason run. The Steelers’ official biography notes that he became the first player in NFL history to record three interceptions in the first half of a postseason game, accomplishing the feat during the Wild Card Round against Jacksonville.
That performance remains a distinctive part of his NFL résumé and illustrates the ball-hawking ability that contributed to his reputation coming out of college.
📌 Key Takeaway: Asante Samuel Jr. has built his NFL career around starting experience, pass breakups and interception production. His move from the Chargers to the Steelers added a new chapter after injuries disrupted his 2024 season.
Frequently Asked Questions
What position does Asante Samuel Jr. play?
Asante Samuel Jr. plays cornerback in the NFL. He entered the league as a defensive back with the Los Angeles Chargers and later joined the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pittsburgh currently lists him as a cornerback wearing No. 22.
What college did Asante Samuel Jr. attend?
He attended Florida State University, where he played three seasons. Samuel appeared in 32 games, recording 96 tackles, 33 passes defended and four interceptions. He earned first-team All-ACC honors following his 2020 season.
When was Asante Samuel Jr. drafted?
The Los Angeles Chargers selected Samuel in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He went on to spend four seasons with Los Angeles before joining Pittsburgh.
Is Asante Samuel Jr. related to Asante Samuel Sr.?
Yes. Asante Samuel Jr. is the son of former NFL cornerback Asante Samuel Sr. His father played 11 NFL seasons for the Patriots, Eagles and Falcons.
How many interceptions does he have?
Through the NFL statistics currently listed, Samuel has seven regular-season interceptions: six during his Chargers career and one with Pittsburgh in 2025. His 2021, 2022 and 2023 seasons each included two interceptions.
Conclusion
Asante Samuel Jr. has already experienced several distinct stages of an NFL career: a highly productive Florida State run, a second-round selection by the Chargers, three seasons with substantial starting responsibilities, an injury-shortened 2024 campaign and a transition to the Steelers.
His career statistics show a cornerback with meaningful ball-production and extensive starting experience. As his Pittsburgh chapter continues, his availability and role will be important parts of the next stage of Asante Samuel Jr.’s NFL story.
