South Carolina Football: Deebo Samuel listed in NFL’s top-100

The NFL Network has released a top-100 NFL players list every preseason for over a decade. The list is created in conjunction with a poll run by the NFL Network on which current NFL players vote for their peers. Former South Carolina football stars Alshon Jeffery, John Abraham, Jadeveon Clowney, Melvin Ingram, Stephon Gilmore, and Johnathan Joseph have made the list multiple times each. Deebo Samuel was on the 2022 list, as well.

Now, with the NFL Network having released their 2023 version of the top-100, Samuel has entered the two-timers club. The San Fransisco 49ers playmaker comes in ranked as the #61 player in the league. He was also on the 2022 list, but coming off of a career year in 2021, he was ranked much higher at #19.

Since being drafted in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft, Samuel has had a very successful NFL career. The wide receiver/running back combo has been one of the top players in football when he has been on the field and fully healthy. Unfortunately for Samuel, just as was the case when he played for South Carolina, he has missed some time with injury.

In his 4 seasons in the league, Deebo Samuel has missed 14 games outright and played injured in a number of others. His 2021 campaign was his healthiest as he missed just one contest, and the results followed. Two seasons ago, Samuel tallied almost 1800 yards and 14 touchdowns while leading the league in yards per reception.

The 2021 1st-team All-Pro played most of the 2022 season while battling injuries, and he also missed four other games. If Samuel can bounce back to his ’21 form, he will be rated significantly higher in the 2024 top-100.

Deebo Samuel signed a big contract with the 49ers to stay in San Fran long term. He is a perfect fit in the Shanahan offensive system, so Gamecock football fans can expect their former superstar to continue being one of the top players in the professional ranks.