Deebo Samuel Sr. is one of the best do-it-all threats in the NFL, but that’s nothing new. Where did Samuel go to college, and just how good was he?
Where Did Deebo Samuel Sr. Go to College?
After gaining national attention at Chapman High School in Inman, S.C., Deebo Samuel became a standout for his hometown team, South Carolina.
Samuel may be a dual threat now, but he was an everything threat at Chapman. He concluded his career with a 166-2,751-36 receiving line, 133-898-13 rushing line, 94 tackles, and 12 interceptions. His 53 career TDs were a school record, resulting in a four-star rating from 247Sports.
Despite offers from several other Power Five programs, Samuel decided to stay close to home and committed to the Gamecocks.
Samuel redshirted his first season and then suffered a hamstring injury in the 2015 season opener. As a result, he only played in five games with three starts, finishing the season with 12 catches for 161 yards and one TD.
Hamstring issues persisted early in 2016, but once Samuel was able to return to the field, he exploded. Not only did he lead the team with a 59-783-1 receiving line, but he also ran for 98 yards and six TDs, returned 16 kickoffs for a 26.9-yard average with one score, and even threw a 33-yard bomb to the end zone.
Samuel picked up right where he left off in 2017, racking up six TDs (three receiving, one rushing, two kick returning) through the first three games. Yet, a broken leg suffered in Week 4 ended his season early and forced him to return for his redshirt senior year.
In his collegiate finale, Samuel enjoyed his best performance yet as a pass catcher, hauling in 62 passes for 882 yards and 11 touchdowns. He continued his all-purpose role, throwing a 13-yard TD and returning two kickoffs to the house. As you’d imagine, the accolades came rolling in: NFL Combine invite, Senior Bowl invite, first-team All-SEC, second-team All-American.
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Samuel finished his career with 148 receptions (eighth in South Carolina history) for 2,076 yards (10th) and 30 total TDs (fourth) — 16 receiving (ninth), seven rushing, four kick returning (first), two passing, and one off a fumble recovery.
His versatile skill set and explosive playmaking ability made him one of the most electrifying players in college football, paving the way for his dynamic NFL career with the San Francisco 49ers.
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