Player Primer: Eric Samuta
I spoke with Glenbard West’s Senior Outside Linebacker Eric Samuta on his recruiting and how he’s improved as a player. Versatile, dedicated and underrated. Glenbard West Outside Linebacker Eric Samuta is on a mission to prove people wrong and earn a D1 offer.
You can find Eric on Twitter @muta83.
Eric Samuta
Glenbard West
Glen Ellyn, IL
Wt: 210 lbs
Class: 2017
Commitment status: Undecided
LPI: What were the most important things you did this offseason and are now doing in practice so you can improve your game this season? To be more specific, how do you go the extra mile to become a better player?
ES: I focused on Football, deciding not to do Wrestling or Gymnastics after last season. The most important thing I did this offseason was continuously working at get better becoming bigger, faster, and stronger, putting on over 30lbs of muscle. I would do this by going to Acceleration in Naperville, Illinois. They helped me by hitting the weight room hard, and helped me with my agility and speed. After the state game my junior year I headed to Acceleration and did this until my high school summer camp started up. The other important thing I did was to lead our team in offseason lifts at 6am at Glenbard West.
LPI: You currently do not have any offers, but have been in the mix with some D1 and D2 schools. Why should schools offer you? What can you bring to the table for collegiate programs?
ES: I am a versatile athlete, having played three sports and multiple positions on my varsity football team; LB, FB, and Special Teams. What I bring to the table is a strong desire to be an impact player for my coaches & teammates by working hard each off-season to get bigger, faster, and stronger. I review film every day to try and better prepare myself mentally for the team of the week. I also bring leadership, one of the captains at my high school I am able to affect teammates by motivating and leading by example. I watch film every night and critique myself so I can be better the next day.
LPI: Offer or not, which schools have you kept in contact with the most?
ES: I continually send out my game film and information to the schools I have spoken to. I also send out my information and film regularly to other schools to get my name exposed to schools. The ones that I have kept in contact with are schools in the Pioneer League through emails and texts.
LPI: Where have you visited most recently and do you have any planned visits coming up?
ES: I went to an unofficial visit September 3rd to University of Dayton. I was pleased to see how well the program works together and also I was impressed with the facilities they had. I plan to visit Southwestern Minnesota State later this season after numerous texts and emails with the coach. And I will be open towards any schools asking for me to come for a visit.
LPI: Coming off a state championship does your team feel any pressure to perform at a high level? Is there a target on your back?
ES: We all definitely believe that we have a target on our back, we have been aware of our situation since 2016 season training began with morning lifts in January. A number of us have been starters on last year’s team so we are trying to lead them and tell them what to expect, but we just treat it like every other year, being the best we can be as one unit. We don’t feel the pressure because we are just carrying the torch for every hitter that has been through the program. We are just doing what every other class has done here at Glenbard West.
LPI: The Hitters are doing very well so far at 4-2. What have you guys been doing more now than ever so you can make another deep run in the playoffs?
ES: Coach Hetlet and the entire GBW coaching staff prepares us for each game ahead of us by putting us in the best position to succeed. We are reviewing film more than ever, constantly watching the team we will face that week and trying to master every play. We are becoming stronger every week because of our effort in the weight room. Also we have been working on our speed and conditioning throughout the week so that we never get tired and can out work the other teams. We still are transforming ourselves throughout the football season.
LPI: Yourself and Dionte Moorehead are two Hitters that have been receiving some recruiting attention that I personally think are very underrated. Who are some of your teammates that you think have what it takes to play at the next level, but are being overlooked by college scouts?
ES: This is a hard question to answer because I believe each every one of my teammates are hardworking players that study film and still try and improve themselves in the classroom and on the film. On defense, Jackson Goleash and Justice Bradley both are players that will know our own defense inside and out, they will know when where everyone is supposed to fit on every play. They both love the game of football and will do anything to play at the next level.