Sophomore Fullback Jaylen Samuels told the media after the first game against Troy that his goal for 2015 was to score two touchdowns every game.

“I just wanted to start off fast.  My goal for this year is to score at least two touchdowns each game,” said Samuels. “I just wanted to come out and execute the plays that Coach Canada called.  Whenever the ball comes to me, I just have to make a play.”

I’ll be honest.  I thought JaySam was living in a dream world.  Welp, through four games Samuels’ words have looked prophetic, scoring eight touchdowns (5 rushing & 3 receiving). Saying that he is dangerous with the ball in his hands would be an understatement. He averages 8.6 yards every time the ball ends up in his hands.

When you go back and watch the tape more closely, you realize that Samuels has given NC State more than 8 touchdowns. He scored 2 touchdowns against South Alabama, but his blocking also paved the way for two of Matt Dayes’ touchdowns.

The opening play of the above highlight reel is Matt Dayes’ 77-yard touchdown run.  It was Jaylen Samuels block on the outside that Dayes ran around to get a clear sideline to run down.  At the 0:45 second mark on the video, it was Samuels again who was the lead blocker paving the way for Dayes to run the ball into the end zone from 8 yards out.

Last season Samuels averaged 11.4 yards every time he touched the ball, but he only touched the ball 21 times total.  One of the reasons he is touching the ball more this year (32 touches) is because he has become a more complete football player, focusing primarily on his blocking this offseason.

“Everyone that knows his history knows that when you put the ball in his hands, he’s been a very special player his entire career, both here and in high school,” said NC State Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada. “Becoming a complete football player is something he set out to do this Fall.  He and Coach Faulkner have done a great job at that.”

If you watch both of the previously cited touchdown runs, you will see Samuels enthusiastically celebrating as he watches his teammate run off into the distance.  It’s one thing to celebrate your own touchdown.  It’s an entirely different thing to get just as jazzed paving the way for your teammate to score.

“Jaylen has done that well, but I think all of our kids are doing that.  We are playing very unselfish football,” said Canada. “Some days we run it, some days we pass it.  Some days you may get a whole a lot of balls, and some days you may not.  I think all of our guys are doing a great job with that.”

A more complete Jaylen Samuels has led to him seeing much more time on the field in 2015, and anytime he is on the field the Wolfpack offense is much more dangerous.