Samuel Named First-Team All-American by AFCA FBS Coaches

University of South Carolina senior standout Deebo Samuel has been named to the 2018 AFCA Coaches’ All-America first team as an all-purpose performer, it was announced today.
 
Samuel, a 6-0, 210-pounder from Inman, S.C., led the Gamecocks with 62 receptions for 882 yards and 11 receiving touchdowns. He rushed eight times for 26 yards and returned 23 kickoffs for 570 yards, a 24.8-yard average. He also completed one pass attempt for a 13-yard touchdown. Samuel averaged 123.2 all-purpose yards per game and scored 13 touchdowns overall. He ranked tied for fifth in the SEC with 5.2 receptions, seventh with 73.5 receiving yards, fourth in kick return average and second in all-purpose yards per game.
 
Samuel previously was named second-team All-American as a kick returner by the FWAA. He was a first team All-SEC selection as an all-purpose performer by both the Associated Press and the league’s coaches. The coaches also named him first-team All-SEC as a return specialist. Both the AP and coaches had him as a second-team all-conference selection at wide receiver.
 
Samuel has accepted an invitation to appear in the Reese’s Senior Bowl, which will be held on January 26, 2019, in Mobile, Ala.
 
 
2018 AFCA FBS Coaches’ All-America Team – First Team
Offense
Pos.  Name                           Ht.    Wt.    Cl.     School               Coach                                      Hometown (High School)
WR   Jerry Jeudy                   6-1    192    So.     Alabama             Nick Saban               Deerfield Beach, Fla. (Deerfield Beach)
WR   Andy Isabella                 5-10   190    Sr.     Massachusetts    Mark Whipple                               Mayfield, Ohio (Mayfield)
TE     T.J. Hockenson             6-5    250    So.     Iowa                   Kirk Ferentz                                 Chariton, Iowa (Chariton)
OL     *Jonah Williams             6-5    301    Jr.      Alabama             Nick Saban                                    Folsom, Calif. (Folsom)
OL     *Mitch Hyatt                  6-5    310    Sr.     Clemson             Dabo Swinney                     Suwanee, Ga. (North Gwinnett)
C       Garrett Bradbury            6-3    300    Gr.     NC State             Dave Doeren                              Charlotte, N.C. (Christian)
OL     Beau Benzschawel         6-6    315    Sr.     Wisconsin           Paul Chryst                                    Grafton, Wis. (Grafton)
OL     Ben Powers                  6-4    313    Sr.     Oklahoma           Lincoln Riley                   Wichita, Kan. (Kapaun Mt. Carmel)
QB    Tua Tagovailoa              6-1    218    So.     Alabama             Nick Saban                           Ewa Beach, Hawaii (St. Louis)
RB     Jonathan Taylor             5-11   221    So.     Wisconsin           Paul Chryst                                        Salem, N.J. (Salem)
RB     Darrell Henderson          5-9    200    Jr.      Memphis             Mike Norvell                       Batesville, Miss. (South Panola)
 
Defense
Pos.  Name                           Ht.    Wt.    Cl.     School               Coach                                      Hometown (High School)
DL     Quinnen Williams           6-4    295    R-So. Alabama             Nick Saban                             Birmingham, Ala. (Wenonah)
DL     Clelin Ferrell                  6-4    265    R-Jr.  Clemson             Dabo Swinney       Richmond, Va. (Benedictine College Prep)
DL     #Christian Wilkins          6-4    315    Gr.     Clemson             Dabo Swinney    Springfield, Mass. (Suffield (Conn.) Academy)
DL     Dexter Lawrence            6-4    350    Jr.      Clemson             Dabo Swinney                  Wake Forest, N.C. (Wake Forest)
LB     Josh Allen                     6-5    260    Sr.     Kentucky            Mark Stoops                               Montclair, N.J. (Montclair)
LB     Devin Bush                   5-11   233    Jr.      Michigan             Jim Harbaugh                    Pembroke Pines, Fla. (Flanagan)
LB     Devin White                  6-1    240    Jr.      LSU                   Ed Orgeron                           Springhill, La. (North Webster)
DB    Deandre Baker               5-11   185    Sr.     Georgia               Kirby Smart                      Miami, Fla. (Miami Northwestern)
DB     Greedy Williams             6-3    184    So.     LSU                   Ed Orgeron          Shreveport, La. (Calvary Baptist Academy)
DB    Deionte Thompson         6-2    196    R-Jr.  Alabama             Nick Saban                   Orange, Texas (West Orange-Stark)
DB     Grant Delpit                   6-3    203    So.     LSU                   Ed Orgeron                        Houston, Texas (IMG Academy)
 
Specialists
Pos.  Name                           Ht.    Wt.    Cl.     School               Coach                                      Hometown (High School)
P       Braden Mann                 5-11   190    Jr.      Texas A&M          Jimbo Fisher                               Houston, Texas (Cy-Fair)
PK     Andre Szmyt                 6-1    195    R-Fr.  Syracuse            Dino Babers                          Vernon Hills, Ill. (Vernon Hills)
AP     Deebo Samuel               6-0    210    R-Sr.  South Carolina     Will Muschamp                              Inman, S.C. (Chapman)
 
*–2017 AFCA All-American                       #–2016 & 2017 AFCA All-American