Deebo Samuel had an excellent rookie season for the 49ers last year and seemed to give San Francisco exactly what they were hoping for when they took him No. 36 overall in last year’s draft.
Samuel was used creatively by Kyle Shanahan and caught 57 passes for 802 yards and three touchdowns, while rushing 14 times for 159 yards and three TDs. Samuel’s success was no surprise for his college coach, Will Muschamp.
The 49ers checked in with Muschamp to get the South Carolina head coach’s opinion on Samuel prior to drafting the receiver. Muschamp endorsed Samuel as a strong pick, but he gave one minor but humorous warning. Here is what Muschamp told Matt Maiocco on The 49ers Insider Podcast.
“You’re going to need to stay on him about his weight in the offseason,” Muschamp said he told the 49ers, via Maiocco.
“Of course, he shows up a little bit overweight and (49ers receivers coach) Wes Welker takes him out for some 6 a.m. runs to get him back in shape. But I said, ‘You’re going to get a guy who’s a playmaker with the ball in his hands.’ He’s a receiver, but he’s got a big lower body. He runs through contact. He plays almost like a running back. They utilized him a lot in that manner.”
Welker has been the 49ers’ receivers coach since early last year and helped get Deebo in shape. And the 49ers took care of the usage part and utilized Samuel perfectly. Deebo also took care of his part with the touchdown celebrations too.
