Deebo Samuel Sr. Bio
Tyshun Raequan “Deebo” Samuel Sr. (born January 15, 1996) is an American professional football wide receiver and kick returner for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the South Carolina Gamecocks and was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the second round of the 2019 NFL draft. Samuel received first-team All-Pro honors with the 49ers in 2021 and was traded to the Commanders in 2025. He is the only wide receiver in NFL history to have 20 receiving and 20 rushing touchdowns.
Early Life and Background
Deebo Samuel was born in Inman, South Carolina, where he attended Chapman High School. As a senior, he led his football team to the semifinals of the AAA playoffs. During his high school career, he recorded 166 catches for 2,751 yards and 36 touchdowns, while also rushing for 898 yards and 13 touchdowns. Samuel set a school record with 53 career touchdowns and was recognized as the High School Sports Report Class AAA Offensive Player of the Year. He played in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas, showcasing his talent among the best high school players in the region. Coming out of high school, Samuel was rated as a three-star recruit and committed to play college football at the University of South Carolina.
Path to American Football
At the University of South Carolina, Samuel redshirted his true freshman year in 2014. He faced challenges with injuries during his early college career but made significant contributions in subsequent seasons. In 2016, he led the team with 59 receptions for 783 yards and rushed for six touchdowns. His performance in the Birmingham Bowl against the University of South Florida, where he recorded 14 receptions for 190 yards, highlighted his potential. In 2018, Samuel had a standout season, finishing with 882 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns, including a remarkable game against Clemson where he caught 10 passes for 210 yards and three touchdowns. His college career culminated with his selection to play in the 2019 Senior Bowl.
Deebo Samuel Sr. Career
Early Career (2019-2020)
Deebo Samuel was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the second round (36th overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft. He signed a four-year contract with the team on July 25, 2019. Samuel made his NFL debut against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, catching three passes for 17 yards. His first NFL touchdown came in a game against the Cincinnati Bengals, where he caught five passes for 87 yards. Throughout his rookie season, he showcased his versatility, contributing both as a receiver and a rusher. Samuel’s performance in Super Bowl LIV, where he rushed for 53 yards and caught five passes for 39 yards, marked a significant moment in his early career.
Breakthrough (2021-2022)
Samuel’s breakout season came in 2021, where he was elected to the Pro Bowl and named a First Team All-Pro. He became known for his unique playing style, often lining up in the backfield and taking on running back responsibilities. During the season, he recorded 77 receptions for 1,405 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns, alongside 59 rushing attempts for 365 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns, setting a record for the most rushing touchdowns by a wide receiver in a single season. His dynamic playmaking ability was crucial for the 49ers as they advanced to the playoffs.
Notable Works and Milestones
Samuel’s signature work includes his record-setting performance in the 2021 season, where he became the first wide receiver in NFL history to achieve 20 rushing and 20 receiving touchdowns. His contributions were pivotal in the 49ers’ playoff run, and he earned recognition as one of the league’s top players.
Deebo Samuel Sr. Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Deebo Samuel has received several nominations, including his selection to the Pro Bowl in 2021, which recognizes the best players in the NFL.
Deebo Samuel Sr. Awards Won
Deebo Samuel has won multiple prestigious awards, including the First-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors in 2021, as well as First-team All-American and First-team All-SEC accolades in 2018.
Deebo Samuel Sr. Family
Personal details about Deebo Samuel’s family are limited, but he was given the nickname “Deebo” by his father, inspired by the character Deebo from the 1995 film Friday.
Personal Life
Deebo Samuel’s personal life remains largely private. However, he has expressed pride in his nickname and its significance to his identity as a player. He continues to make an impact on and off the field as a professional athlete.
