There are 59 days till college football season, and today we focus on one of the most dynamic playmakers in the SEC.
There are so many dynamic playmakers in the SEC, and the South Carolina Gamecocks have one of the best. Not only can he hurt you through the air, but he can also hurt you on the ground, and in the return game, and maybe even throwing the football.
And that leads us to no. 59 on the Southbound and Down College Football Countdown.
South Carolina’s Deebo Samuel had 59 receptions in 2016
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Samuel’s 59 receptions were the eighth-most in the SEC last season, and the fourth-most among players returning in 2017, behind Christian Kirk, Calvin Ridley, and J’Mon Moore. But that’s only one aspect of Samuel’s game. Those three receivers that had more receptions than Samuel combined for two rushing touchdowns last season. Samuel had six.
Last season he had 783 receiving yards, 431 kick return yards, 98 rushing yards, and he also threw a 33-yard touchdown pass.
Samuel missed three games last season with a hamstring injury, and after he came back South Carolina made an emphasis to get the ball in the hands of their best playmaker. For touches, I added carries and receptions, not including special teams.
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Pre-Injury (2 games)
- 5 touches (2.5 per game)
- 74 yards (37 per game)
- 0 kick returns
Post-injury (8 games)
- 69 touches (8.6 per game)
- 807 yards (100.9 per game)
- 431 kick return yards (53.9 per game)
In the season finale in the Birmingham Bowl, Samuel caught 14 passes for 190 yards and got his first receiving touchdown of the season.
If South Carolina is going to make some noise in the SEC East this year, it will be because of Samuel. He’s the best player on the team. And in the final eight games of 2016, the coaching staff finally realized it.