Could a Shi Smith and Deebo Samuel reunion be on the horizon? The San Francisco 49ers have spoken to the incoming rookie Gamecock, per TheState.com. Smith figures to be a day-three selection in the upcoming draft. The 49ers have already selected South Carolina players in two consecutive drafts—Samuel and defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw.
Smith would love to once again be teammates with Samuel, who has helped mentor the 5-foot-10, 190-pound receiver as he prepares for the draft. In fact, the two have spoken regularly since Samuel left the collegiate ranks after the 2018 season. Smith and Samuel were teammates for two seasons, and the former appreciates the latter's help since then.
"He kind of took me under his wing as his little bro," Smith said before his pro day. "Me and Deebo got a very good relationship. Talk to him like twice a week, almost every week, whether it's about football, money, stuff like that."
Smith spoke with 49ers scouts during the week leading to his workout and may have boosted his stock with a solid outing.
Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy, who was in attendance on Wednesday, timed Smith at 4.43 and 4.47 seconds in his 40-yard dash runs.
Official pro-day results for @GamecockFB WR Shi Smith. Not nearly enough talk about Smith in this year's deep slot group.
HT 5094
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) March 24, 2021
WT 186
Hand 9 1/2
Arm 31 7/8 👀
Wing 75 5/8
40-yd 4.43/4.47 (NFL scout ⏱) 👀
VJ 36.0
BJ 10-3
SS 4.20
3C 6.83 👀 pic.twitter.com/ubJ1Q451rx
"... Deebo kind of helped me with just little things, just telling me about my attitude and stuff like that, I should work on that a little bit," Smith added. "And then just tips on football, what I need to improve on — releasing, blocking, stuff like that. So he was very helpful."
Smith recorded 57 catches for 633 yards with four touchdowns through nine games this past season. He has some kick-return experience, racking up 263 return yards on 12 touches (21.9 average) in 2019.
The 22-year-old receiver got some advice from Samuel when it comes to one aspect of his game. The 49ers wideout is no stranger to a little trash talk on the field but has learned to keep that in control after moving to the professional level. Samuel advises that the incoming rookie does the same.
"I just got a quick temper," Smith said. "So I get heated a little bit. So that's just one of the things I need to work on."
Smith has registered 174 catches for 2,204 yards with 13 touchdowns in his four seasons with the Gamecocks. The receiver feels he has the same big-play ability as Samuel and can make things happen once he gets the football in his hands.
"That's just like athletic ability," Smith said. "Once I make the catch, all my athletic ability just kicks in, so we can compare there."
