San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel is going back to his roots next season, as he will change his jersey number from No. 19 to No. 1.
Samuel has worn No. 19 in each of his first five NFL seasons. However, as he enters year six, he will don the jersey number that he wore during the final three seasons of his college career at South Carolina.
The 49ers released a video Tuesday on social media announcing the jersey revision, which also will include his name plate being changed from “Samuel” to “Samuel Sr.”
The “Sr.” is a nod to Samuel’s son, Tyshun, who was born in December 2021. Tyshun is also Deebo’s legal first name.
New threads🔥@19problemz pic.twitter.com/SMq8P8hbOb
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) March 12, 2024
Samuel has enjoyed plenty of success wearing the No. 1 jersey. In his senior season at South Carolina in 2018, Samuel was named a first-team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association, as well as first-team All-SEC, after amassing 908 yards from scrimmage and 11 touchdowns. Samuel was also one of the nation’s top kick returners, averaging 24.8 yards per return and one touchdown that season.
#49ers WR Deebo Samuel is changing his jersey number from No. 19 to No. 1, which is what he wore in college at South Carolina. pic.twitter.com/t7dLPiTS2N
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) March 12, 2024
Samuel’s professional career has been impressive since the 49ers selected him with the No. 36 pick in the 2019 NFL draft. He has become one of the most versatile offensive players in the game as a rushing and receiving threat for the potent 49ers offense.
He was named first-team All-Pro in 2021, when he hauled in 77 catches for 1,405 yards and six touchdowns, while adding eight rushing touchdowns to the stat sheet as well.
But even taking his star-studded ’21 season aside, Samuel has been remarkably consistent when healthy. Last season, Samuel amassed 60 receptions for 892 receiving yards and seven scores, while adding 225 yards and five more touchdowns on the ground.
