This past season, Deebo Samuel was electrifying in both the pass and run game. The San Francisco 49ers "wide back" finished the season with 77 receptions for 1,405 receiving yards, six touchdowns, and averaged 18.2 yards per catch. Samuel had ten receptions for 154 yards, one touchdown, and averaged 15.4 yards per catch in the postseason.
Samuel was even more terrifying on the ground. During the regular season, he rushed for 365 yards, scored eight touchdowns, and averaged 6.2 yards per carry. Samuel made history by breaking the record for most rushing touchdowns by a wide receiver. This record had stood for 60 years and was previously owned by Lenny Moore of the Baltimore Colts. Each of Samuel's eight rushing touchdowns came on runs of ten-plus yards.
On Wednesday, defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw spoke with Brad Graham of TheSFNiners and discussed Samuel's maturation from a receiver at South Carolina, where the two were teammates, into an NFL superstar.
"Nothing's changed," Kinlaw told Graham. "He's always been like that. Literally, he's still the same person from college. And I'm talking about on and off the field. On the field, senior year, before he broke his foot, every time he touched the ball, he scored.
"For me, the stuff he's doing now, it don't surprise me because he been doing it. I saw it firsthand. I'm super excited for him, super happy for him. I've known him for so long now, so I'm just ecstatic for him. He deserves it all. He works his tail off at all times. Great person."
Samuel is becoming an inspiration for wide receivers. The upcoming prospects want to be like the 49ers receiver, able to catch and run with anger. Samuel is due a huge contract extension. Waiting to finalize a deal will only cost the 49ers more. If Samuel has another season as he did in 2021, he'll likely break some salary records.