TALLAHASSEE -- Upon the first time meeting Asante Samuel Jr., Florida State defensive coordinator Harlon Barnett quickly noticed something that became apparent to those who closely watched the diminutive cornerback during his freshman campaign.

“I looked him in the eye, and I said ‘I like the way you look,’” Barnett recalled. “He look like he wants to hit somebody all the time.”

Samuel displayed that same grit and tenacity as a rookie, defending nine passes (a team high) while totaling 18 tackles and a tackle for loss despite only starting three games. He was often placed on an island against taller receivers, and the 5-foot-10 corner held his own while also showing fearlessness when attacking bigger players such as Boston College bruiser A.J. Dillon.

“I just want to dominate every play,” Samuel said. “Down South, football is different. It’s like, ‘I want to prove a point every single play and make them feel me.’”

A four-star recruit out of South Florida powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas, Samuel saw his role within FSU’s defense expand throughout the year. Samuel’s tenacity served him well in his debut season as he displayed the necessary ability to rebound after giving up a big play. Sometimes he’d lose to taller receivers in one-on-one coverage, but he never backed down.

“I have the same mindset every time I line up against somebody. It doesn’t change for the person,” Samuel said. “It’s just, ‘I got to do my technique and do what I got to do.’ And I feel like I’m going to dominate every play.”

Samuel figures to be part of a battle for FSU’s field-side corner spot this spring along with Levonta Taylor and others. The Seminoles brought in several blue-chip corners in this class -- such as four-star prospects Travis Jay and Akeem Dent -- in an attempt to upgrade the size and versatility within the secondary, but Samuel is expected to be in the mix for a starting role or for the nickel corner job.

If last season was any indication, Samuel is up for some in-house competition.

“I always love competition, because competition brings the best out of everybody. That will be good for us,” Samuel said. “You really can’t, like, chill or get complacent because if you get complacent your spot will get took and it’s hard to get back.”