COLUMBUS, Ohio -- When Curtis Samuel was taking a subway -- after taking the bus -- to football practice in high school, he never doubted he was talented enough to play at a top program such has Ohio State.His only concern was whether the Buckeyes would find him in Brooklyn.With the help of a family that kept his priorities straight and a well-connected high school coach, Samuel went from hearing the rumble of the elevated subway train next to Sid Luckman Field to the roar of 100,000 Ohio State fans at the Horseshoe.Samuel has emerged as No. 6 Ohio States most dangerous offensive weapon in his junior season. Playing the hybrid receiver-running back position that Percy Harvin once filled for Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer on a national championship team at Florida, Samuel is having a Harvin-type season. He is averaging 137 yards from scrimmage per game, 9.5 per touch, with eight touchdowns.That Samuel has performed so well in this role should be no surprise. He has been playing it since high school. Erasmus Hall coach Danny Landburg was first told about Samuel by Curtis stepfather, Roy Armstead, when Curtis was 7 years old and playing Pop Warner.Samuels talent was easy to spot. He was hurdling fences for the heck of it and outrunning all the other kids.I never knew I was fast. But everybody said I was fast. That was really exciting to hear that, Samuel said.For Nicole Samuel, Curtis mom, football was at first just a way to get her energetic son out of their apartment.Curtis walked at 7 months. From 7 months on he was moving around. He was flipping. He was talking a lot. He was just busy. All the time, Nicole Samuel said.Curtis older cousin, Rashaun Samuel, played football and Rashauns mother suggested to Nicole that it would be a good outlet for Curtis.He was unbelievable, Nicole said. And from then he just took off.Landburg could see a future Harvin or Reggie Bush.At first he said. `Im a running back, Landburg said. I said, `No, youre more than just a running back. His body type is not the type you want to pound 20 times a game.The 5-foot-11, 197-pound Curtis Samuel broke his ankle during practice when he was a sophomore in high school and watched from the bench at Yankee Stadium as Erasmus Hall lost the city championship. He vowed to make up for it and led Erasmus to the title as a junior.Sid Luckman Field, named after the Brooklyn native and Erasmus Hall alum who went on to become a Hall of Fame quarterback for the Chicago Bears in the 1940s, is a very different setting from those in which many four- and five-star recruits play in under Friday night lights.First off, most of Erasmus Halls games are played Saturday afternoon. And the best way to get to the game is mass transit. A quarterback with a decent arm could stand on the midfield logo at Luckman Field and hit the F train with a football as it rattles by every five minutes or so.Samuel said ignoring the trains was easy during games. It was harder during a four-hour practice. Its like right next to you. Its real loud.The commute from Erasmus Hall in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn to Sid Luckman is about 25 minutes, Samuel said, if the buses and subway are running on time. After practice, it was another 40 minutes to get home.Im thinking in my head, a kid from New York City is not going to get a look from a big-time school like that, Samuel said.Generally, recruiters dont find many blue chips in the Big Apple. In Samuels recruiting class he was one of two New York City players, both from Brooklyn, to make Rivals.coms list of the top 250 players in the country. The 2017 class has one New York City player in the top 250.Landburg made sure Samuel was not overlooked. He knew Meyers offense was the perfect fit for Samuels skills, and Samuel was good enough to get Meyer to come to Brooklyn.I actually love Brooklyn, Meyer said. Love the delis there. He liked it so much he went back for freshman safety Jahsen Wint, another Erasmus Hall alum.Meyer said he never worried about Samuel making the transition to Columbus.There was no doubt once you got to know ... who was surrounding him, Meyer said.Nicole Samuel said her son is fortunate to have numerous positive role models from his father, Curtis Council, to cousin Rashaun to Armstead. Though its the women in Curtis Samuels life that have been inspirational.A lot of kids dont make it out of New York City or Brooklyn just playing sports, Samuel said. Theres a bunch of other distractions they get into. My mother kept me level-headed and on the right path. I love her to death for that.Samuel calls his 28-year-old sister, Denisha, his rock and heart. Denisha calls Curtis her little big brother.I went (to Columbus) for the game (last) Saturday, and I took the bus back by myself. Hes like, `When you get back make sure you call my phone no matter what time it is, Denisha said.Samuel said he misses Brooklyn and his family -- even all those bus and subway rides.What does he like best about Columbus? I really love the fans, he said.It certainly beats listening to the F train go by. Garrison Hearst Jersey . Ancelotti says Ronaldo has recovered from a hamstring injury but "but he doesnt feel comfortable yet so we wont risk him." Madrid is third in the Spanish league, six points behind leader Barcelona, going into Saturdays game against Valladolid. 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EDINBURG, Texas -- Antonio Green scored 20 points to lead three players into double figures as Texas-Rio Grande Valley defeated Texas State 72-61 Wednesday night, kicking off a three-game homestand and snapping Texas States three-game win streak.Ten players scored for the Broncs (3-8) as they secured their first win at home this season after ending a seven-game road swing with a double-overtime loss at Portland. Nick Dixon added 14 points with five assists. The Broncs had 21 assists on 25 baaskets.ddddddddddddTexas State (4-4) twice came within eight points in the closing minutes, first when Kavin Gilder-Tilbury hit a 3-pointer and again when he made one of two foul shots that cut the gap to 69-61 with 1:39 remaining. Green closed out the game with a free throw and a layup.Gilder-Tilbury led Texas State (4-4) with 20 points and Bobby Conley added 13. ' ' '