Deebo Samuel changes jersey number back to college No. 1
San Francisco 49ers star Deebo Samuel is making a jersey number change ahead of the 2024 season. Samuel is going back to his college number — No. 1 — he announced Tuesday afternoon on social media.
Deebo Samuel posted a picture of himself in a No. 1 San Francisco 49ers jersey on Instagram. The 49ers Twitter account also shared the news, posting a video with the caption “new threads.”
As you can see below, Samuel is going from wearing a No. 19 jersey with “Samuel” on the back to a No. 1 jersey with “Samuel Sr.” on the back.
Deebo Samuel spent five seasons at South Carolina, before being drafted in the second round of the 2019 NFL draft by the 49ers.
He redshirted in 2014, before playing in five games with three starts in 2015. Samuel battled injuries that season, as he did for much of his college career. He still finished fourth on the team with 12 catches for 161 yards.
During the 2016 season, Deebo Samuel had a breakout year, leading the Gamecocks with 59 catches for 783 yards, despite playing in only 10 games. He also rushed for six touchdowns, had a kickoff return for a score and threw a touchdown pass.
Unfortunately for Deebo Samuel, he was once again slowed by injuries in 2017, scoring six touchdowns in three games, before suffering a broken leg that cost him most of the season.
He was back healthy in 2018 and was named an All-American after catching 62 passes for 882 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also returned a kickoff for a touchdown and threw a touchdown pass that season.
Samuel has continued to be a dynamic playmaker in the NFL. He was named first-team All-Pro in 2021 and has helped the 49ers reach the Super Bowl twice already during his career.
San Francisco came up just short against the Chiefs in the Super Bowl to close out this past season.
Samuel has proven to be dangerous in the NFL in a variety of ways. The 49ers are constantly searching for ways to get him the ball, whether it be as a receiver, kick returner or by lining him up in the backfield.
It will be fun to see Samuel back in his college No. 1 this season as he works to help the 49ers get back to the Super Bowl. San Francisco should have a decent shot to get back there for a second straight year with the talent they return on both sides of the ball.