If you want to draft just on genetics, Asante Samuel Jr. is likely the easy pick.

His father, Asante Samuel, was a four-time Pro Bowl cornerback over his 11 year NFL career spanning stints with the Patriots, Eagles, and Falcons. Samuel's 51 career interceptions rank 32nd all-time in NFL history. His 164 passes defended ranks 6th all-time. He returned six INTs for a touchdown.

While that's certainly a big act to follow, Samuel Jr. is focused on blazing his own trail.

"He was a big role in my life," Samuel Jr. said following Florida State's Pro Day. "He kind of wants me to do my own thing and learn how I learn and just be self-oriented and just do the things I want to do. He'll just piggy-back off what I want to do." 

Samuel Jr. made a name for himself during his Seminole career. He played 31 career games at FSU, filling up the stat sheet with 97 tackles, 71 solo, 4 INTs, 29 PD, 3 TFL, a forced fumble and 2 fumble recoveries. Samuel Jr. finished his time in Tallahassee as a 1st team All-ACC corner.

But when projecting to the next level, NFL teams are weighing whether to keep the 5'10", 180 pounder on the outside or slide him into the nickel spot.

There's no position question from Samuel Jr.'s perspective.

"I feel like I'm an outside guy," Samuel Jr. said. "I've been playing outside all my life. I played nickel sometimes my freshman and sophomore year, but at the end of the day, I make my plays on the outside. I feel like I'm a dominant corner on the outside. They try and look at my height and say things of that nature, but I'm the same size as Jaire Alexander and he's a dominant NFL cornerback right now. One of the best in the league. So I feel like size doesn't matter. It's about the heart and the dog mentality you have on that field."

Samuel Jr. showed off solid speed at his Pro Day by running a 4.45 and 4.52 second times in the 40.

What his tape showed was a knack and desire to put his head down and tackle.

"On the defense, everybody, all 11 guys, have to make sure they tackle," Samuel Jr. said. "You can't just be a cover corner and expect to thrive in the NFL or in college. You have to be a tackling corner. So I pride myself on tackling and just being able to make plays wherever I'm at on the field. Special teams, nickel, or outside corner, I feel like wherever you put me I make a play."

While Samuel Jr. does have experience playing zone coverage, it's man-to-man that is his preference.

"I feel like man coverage is like a dog mentality," Samuel Jr. said. "It's like you vs. me and you're not going to win your rep against me because I'm a dog and been working hard all week, working hard all year for it. You're not going to outwork me throughout the week so I feel that leads up to the game."

The FSU cornerback is projected to be selected in the 2nd round.