History of Deebo Samuel in Timeline
Deebo Samuel is an American football wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers. He was drafted in the second round of the 2019 NFL draft after playing college football at the University of South Carolina. In 2021, Samuel was named to his first Pro Bowl and earned first-team All-Pro honors.
1995: Deebo Samuel is Given His Nickname
In 1995, Deebo Samuel's father, Galen, gave him the nickname "Deebo" after the character Deebo played by Tiny Lister Jr. in the movie Friday.
January 15, 1996: Birth of Deebo Samuel
Tyshun Raequan "Deebo" Samuel Sr. was born on January 15, 1996.
2014: Redshirted Freshman Year
Deebo Samuel redshirted his freshman year in 2014.
November 5, 2017: Returns for Senior Season
On November 5, 2017, Deebo Samuel announced he would return for his senior year.
2018: Successful Senior Season
Deebo Samuel finished the 2018 season with 882 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. His standout performance came against Clemson, where he had 210 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
July 25, 2019: Signs with the 49ers
On July 25, 2019, Deebo Samuel officially signed his four-year rookie contract with the San Francisco 49ers.
2019: Drafted into the NFL
Deebo Samuel was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the second round of the 2019 NFL draft.
2019: Selected for Senior Bowl
Deebo Samuel was selected to play in the 2019 Senior Bowl.
July 28, 2020: Placed on Non-Football Injury List
Deebo Samuel was placed on the non-football injury list at the beginning of training camp on July 28, 2020.
September 5, 2020: Activated from Injury List
Deebo Samuel was activated from the non-football injury list on September 5, 2020.
2021: Breakout Season & Pro Bowl Selection
Deebo Samuel had a breakout season in 2021, earning his first Pro Bowl selection. The 49ers increasingly used him as a running back, where he excelled. He set the record for the most rushing touchdowns in a single season by a wide receiver with 8. He finished the season with 1,405 receiving yards and 365 rushing yards, also becoming a first-team All-Pro.
2021: Pro Bowl and All-Pro Selection
Deebo Samuel was selected to his first Pro Bowl and received first-team All-Pro honors in 2021.
2021: Wide Back
Deebo Samuel's hybrid wide receiver/running back role emerged during the 2021 NFL Season, leading him to coin the term "wide back."
July 31, 2022: Signs Contract Extension
On July 31, 2022, Deebo Samuel signed a three-year, $73.5 million contract extension with the 49ers, ending his trade request.
2022: Wide Back
Deebo Samuel coined the term "wide back" at the 2022 Pro Bowl to describe his hybrid wide receiver/running back role. He was ranked 19th on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2022.
2022: Hamstring Injury and Ankle Sprain
During the 2022 season, Deebo Samuel suffered a hamstring injury and a high ankle sprain, causing him to miss some games. He finished the season with 632 receiving yards and 232 rushing yards.
2023: Strong Performance and NFC Championship Trash Talk
Deebo Samuel had a strong start to the 2023 season, including a 129-yard, one-touchdown performance in Week 3. He engaged in extensive trash talk with the Philadelphia Eagles leading up to Week 13, stemming from the previous year's NFC Championship loss. He then had a standout game against the Eagles with 116 receiving yards and a rushing touchdown, earning NFC Offensive Player of the Week. He also surpassed 1,000 career rushing yards during the season. Despite his efforts, the 49ers lost Super Bowl LVIII to the Kansas City Chiefs.
2023: Ranked 61st on NFL Top 100 Players
Deebo Samuel was ranked 61st by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2023.