Name: Adam Samaha
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 195 lbs.
High school: Ann Arbor (MI) Huron
Position: Kicker
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #99
Last year: I ranked Samaha #62 and said he would be a backup kicker (LINK). He played in one game and went 1/1 on extra points.
TTB Rating: N/A
Samaha might have been set to be Michigan's starting kicker in 2023 if not for the transfer of James Turner from Louisville to Ann Arbor. Samaha's only chance to get on the field was in a 52-7 blowout of Indiana, which he took advantage of and made his only attempt of the year. Turner had a great season and might end up being someone's kicker in the NFL this fall.
So now it's Samaha's turn, right?
Okay, maybe not. Instead of looking to the left-footed Samaha, Michigan brought in Arkansas State transfer Dominic Zvada to handle placekicking duties. Zvada will probably end up being the guy in 2024, so Samaha will have to wait at least one more season to be Michigan's primary kicker. Samaha's best chance to see the field may be if he earns kickoff duties, which is coming down to him, Hudson Hollenbeck, and starting punter Tommy Doman. I think Doman probably has the strongest leg of them all, but Samaha or Hollenbeck may win the job just to keep Doman fresh.
Prediction: Backup kicker
I dunno if kickoff duty is a very impactful spot but I like that you're giving the special teams backups some shine.
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