Deebo Samuel: From Gamecock to NFL Standout - A Comprehensive Look at His College Career

Tyshun Raequan "Deebo" Samuel Sr., born on January 15, 1996, has become a prominent figure in American professional football. Known for his versatility as a wide receiver and kick returner, Samuel's journey to the NFL began at Chapman High School in Inman, South Carolina, and continued at the University of South Carolina. His college career, marked by both brilliance and adversity, laid the foundation for his success in the NFL, where he earned first-team All-Pro honors with the San Francisco 49ers in 2021 and was later traded to the Washington Commanders in 2025.

High School Foundation

Deebo Samuel's football journey started at Chapman High School, where he played under coach Mark Hodge. As a senior, he led the Panthers to an 11-4 record and a semifinal appearance in the AAA playoffs. During his high school career, Samuel recorded 166 receptions for 2,751 yards and 36 touchdowns. He also rushed 133 times for 898 yards and 13 touchdowns. Samuel's all-around abilities extended to the defensive side, where he collected 94 tackles and 12 interceptions.

As a senior, Samuel logged 61 receptions for 1,184 yards and 15 scores, adding 837 yards on the ground with 13 TDs. He also scored twice on interceptions. These accomplishments earned him the High School Sports Report Class AAA Offensive Player of the Year award. Samuel's talent was further recognized with his selection to the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas. As a junior, he caught 78 passes for 1,246 yards and 18 scores and also had a kick return and a punt return for a touchdown.

College Recruitment and Early Years

Despite his impressive high school statistics, Samuel was considered a three-star recruit in the 247Sports Composite rankings, ranked as the No. 838 recruit in the 2014 recruiting class. However, 247Sports' individual rankings labeled him a four-star recruit. Samuel chose the University of South Carolina over reported scholarship offers from Maryland, North Carolina, North Carolina State, and Vanderbilt, among other schools.

2014: Redshirt Season

Samuel redshirted his freshman year in 2014.

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2015: Hamstring Troubles and Flashes of Potential

In 2015, Samuel's debut season was hampered by a hamstring injury. He played in five games, making three starts. Despite the injury, he showed flashes of brilliance, including a notable performance against Clemson. The Herald's (Rock Hill, SC) Ben Breiner noted that Samuel showed he could have fulfilled the role of a target to complement Pharoh Cooper, catching five passes for 104 yards, including a seven-yard touchdown pass and a 48-yard catch-and-run against Clemson.

2016: Sophomore Standout

As a sophomore in 2016, Samuel shared the Steve Wadiak MVP Award with Jake Bentley, was the Steve Spurrier Award winner as the Offense’s MVP, and was selected as the Most Explosive Player on offense by his teammates. He led the squad with 59 catches for 783 yards despite playing in just 10 games. He also rushed 15 times for 98 yards and six TDs, returned 16 kickoffs for a 26.9-yard average with one score, returned two punts for eight yards, and threw a 33-yard touchdown pass. Samuel ranked third in the SEC in receptions per game (5.9), fourth in receiving yards per game (78.3), third in kickoff return average, and second in all-purpose yardage per game (132.0).

He caught two passes for 36 yards at Vandy and scored on an eight-yard run for Carolina’s lone TD. He battled hamstring issues throughout the Mississippi State game. Samuel did not play against East Carolina, Kentucky, or Texas A&M due to the hamstring. He had four catches for 90 yards against Georgia and tallied eight catches for 106 yards vs.

The Times and Democrat's Scott Hood noted that Samuel demonstrated in the second half of the regular season that when he is healthy, few receivers in the SEC are better.

One of Samuel's best games in college came in his first bowl game, when South Carolina played South Florida in the 2016 Birmingham Bowl. His final stat line included fourteen receptions - which tied a school record - for 190 yards - which is tied for ninth in school history - and he had both a receiving and rushing touchdown, which showed a glimpse of his potential as a runner.

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Samuel's receiving stats against Western Carolina during his sophomore season were four catches for 56 yards, but he had five carries for 27 yards and two rushing touchdowns, setting college career-highs in both rushing attempts and rushing touchdowns in a season. He also had five kick returns for 194 yards - a 38.8-yard average - including a 100-yard kickoff return in the first quarter.

2017: Injury Derails Promising Season

Samuel's 2017 season was cut short due to a broken leg. Despite playing in just three games, he tied for the team lead with six touchdowns, accounting for three receiving, two kick return, and one rushing TD. He averaged 158.0 yards of total offense per game, received two kickoffs, and returned them both 97 yards for scores. He logged 15 receptions for 250 yards, an average of 16.7 yards per catch, and rushed twice for 30 yards.

Samuel caught five passes for 83 yards and two TDs in the season opener against NC State, returning the game’s opening kick 97 yards for a score, earning a spot on the Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll and SEC Special Teams Player of the Week recognition. He scored a pair of touchdowns in the win over Missouri, racing to a 97-yard kick return for Carolina’s first points of the game and later taking it in on a 25-yard rush, earning the Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll and SEC Special Teams Player of the Week accolades for the second-straight week. He became the first Gamecock to log three career kick return touchdowns and the third to return two kicks for TDs in a season. He caught five balls for 122 yards and a touchdown vs.

The Charlotte Observer's Rick Bonnell noted that Samuel demonstrated he could be a big-time NFL prospect, returning the game's opening kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown and catching two more touchdowns against NC State.

2018: A Healthy and Productive Senior Year

In 2018, Samuel finally enjoyed an entirely healthy season, racking up 882 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns, displaying his playmaking ability. In three career games against Clemson, Samuel had 19 total receptions for 328 yards and four touchdowns. During rivalry week in 2018, Samuel went off for 10 receptions for 210 yards and three scores. His 210 receiving yards were tied for the second-most in school history.

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College Statistics and Impact

During his tenure at the University of South Carolina, Deebo Samuel left an indelible mark both on the field and in the record books. In the 30 games where Samuel recorded statistics, the Gamecocks held a balanced 15-15 record. He is tied for first in South Carolina history in receptions in a game with 14 receptions (vs. South Florida, 2016) and tied for second and ninth in South Carolina history in receiving yards in a game with 210 yards (at Clemson, 2018) and 190 yards (vs. South Florida, 2016). Samuel also ranks 17th in NCAA history in career kick return average (min. 30 returns) at 29.0 yards per return.

Transition to the NFL

Samuel's college career, despite its ups and downs, showcased his exceptional talent and versatility. His ability to contribute as a receiver, rusher, and kick returner made him a highly sought-after prospect in the 2019 NFL Draft, where he was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the second round.

College Career Statistics

Year	Class	Position	Games	Receiving Yards	Receiving Touchdowns	Rushing Attempts	Rushing Yards	Rushing Touchdowns
2015	Redshirt Freshman	WR	5	161	1	6	22	0
2016	Sophomore	WR	10	783	1	15	98	6
2017	Junior	WR	3	250	3	2	30	1
2018	Senior	WR	12	882	11	23	159	2
Totals			30	2076	16	46	309	9

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