Spring Tour Stop 11: DB commit Samuel taking lead role with '18 class

Rivals100 cornerback Asante Samuel has dreamed of playing at Florida State since he was a young child, and he took one more step toward making that dream a reality when he committed to the Seminoles last month.

For the next stop on our Spring Recruiting Tour, we checked in on Samuel at prestigious national powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale to see what he is focusing on this spring.

"I'm just working on my craft as a defensive back and making my technique even better," he said. "Mostly some of the little things. Whatever the coaches need me to work on, I'm going to do it. I feel my strongest attribute is my instincts and quickness. I play with a lot of physicality. That just comes from the 'dog' inside me."

As far as his commitment to Florida State, Samuel said it's still taking some time to sink in that he's a 'Nole, but he loves the feeling.

"Still, it's a dream come true," the nation's No. 3-ranked cornerback said. "I really just like the school, period. That's my 'home school' from the very beginning. I love the whole team.

"FSU is different if you visit there. It's the culture that is different there then any other place. They immediately make you feel like family. What I tell other recruits is about the culture at FSU, and other schools aren't like that."

Samuel said he's currently 5-foot-10 and 177 pounds, but he added he's likely to be at 185 pounds once he gets to college. The four-star prospect said he can't enroll early at FSU, but he plans to be there in May.

He's already excited about what the Seminoles' secondary is going to look like when he arrives.

"All those guys love to compete, and I know it will come with my work," Samuel said. "You just focus on what you need to do. I like all the players there at FSU, but most of the time I hang out with Cyrus Fagan and Stanford Samuels. I'm not surprised Stanford is doing so well. He has that 'dog' in him too."

Along with the players and the overall program, Samuel also is clearly excited about getting to work with FSU defensive coordinator Charles Kelly.

"He keeps it honest, real," Samuel said. "I asked several guys on the team, and they said whatever he tells you is absolutely the truth. That's Coach Kelly. Everything he told them and me has happened. He won't sell you a dream. Other schools would do that, but he made it clear that you have a chance to compete and play early. No guarantees."

Depending on what happens with some of the draft-eligible juniors, it's possible Florida State could lose six or seven defensive backs to graduation and the NFL Draft in 2018. And Samuel is well aware of that fact.

While he hasn't been promised playing time, he is working to prepare for the opportunity.

"I have to go out and do what I do," Samuel said. "I know that. I'm just going to work and focus on my job. Right now, I'm focused on my senior season here -- that's my attention. My grades are very good, and I take the ACT on June 3rd."