Good luck to defenders trying to tackle Commanders' Deebo Samuel in 2025

USA Today

a day ago

Is Deebo Samuel fit or fat?
Video of the new Washington Commanders wide receiver went viral when he was working out during the voluntary part of the offseason schedule. Concerns were raised and criticisms launched all over social media. John Keim recently chatted with Samuel's personal trainer, Nick Hill, on his podcast.
Hill is not a recent addition for Samuel. In fact, when Samuel was coming out of South Carolina, he worked with Hill in preparation for the 2019 NFL Combine. Things went well for Samuel, working prior to the draft with Hill, as Samuel was selected by the San Francisco 49ers 36th overall in the second round of that 2019 draft. Hill informed Keim that, during the draft preparation, he had an unbelievable receiver class, featuring Samuel, A.J. Brown, D.K. Metcalf, Paris Campbell, N'Keal Harry, and Johnny Dixon.
Apparently, Samuel, after a couple of seasons, returned to Hill, as Hill had conveyed to Keim that Samuel and Hill had now worked together for the last four years. When Keim asked what has stood out regarding Samuel, Hill didn't hesitate to respond, "He's so explosive, really good at acceleration, and very powerful. That's what he is special at, and that is why when he gets the ball in his hands he is so dangerous; he is so quick from point A to point B. And that is still special to this day."
Get this! Hill went as far as to say Samuel's body type is similar to another player who has worked out and worked with Hill, Saquon Barkley: "Just strong, powerful, fast." When Keim inquired regarding what type of worker Samuel is, Hill replied, "He's the type of guy that once he gets something in his mind and he puts those blinders on, he's going full speed. We are going at 6 am right now. He is going two or three sessions a day, going to bed and waking up the next day, and going after it again."
Hill expressed that Samuel always takes a month to six weeks off after the season, but then once he starts working out again, he is on the gas pedal. Hill even went as far as to use the word "disciplined" regarding Samuel's workouts. Knowing of the photos and videos featuring Samuel that circulated a couple of months ago, Hill attempted to assure Commanders fans that Samuel had never reported to training camp or begun a season overweight.
Contending that Samuel is naturally built bigger, Hill was unrelenting with Keim that Samuel will never be a 180-pound receiver. He simply has too much muscle and is too big; he will most often play at 220 at this stage of his career. Apparently, Samuel has also expressed to Hill that he is enjoying his new identity as a receiver on the Commanders, who is here to prove himself under his one-year deal.
Good luck trying to tackle Deebo Samuel in 2025.