Two former South Carolina football players shine in the NFL.
The San Francisco 49ers faced the Los Angeles Rams last Sunday in a clash between two opponents from the western NFC division, and two former Gamecocks had a major impact on the competition’s outcome.
Second-year pass catcher Deebo Samuel and rookie striker Javon Kinlaw made great moves to help the 49ers preserve the 23-20 defeat of their division rivals and move to 5-6 in the season.
Samuel, who was returning from a hamstring injury, led all players with 11 receptions and 133 receiving yards in his first lap game. The previous second round selection now adds 27 tracks for 318 yards and a score in what has been a season full of injuries. Samuel only managed to play five games this year.
He has been a thorn in the side of the Rams, however, with his two best results coming against Los Angeles. It has been particularly sweet for Samuel, who has spent a little spat with Rams striker Aaron Donald, after he said he didn’t know who Samuel was before the teams’ first meeting.
Samuel was not the only former student who appeared in the fight. Defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw recorded some tackles and had an interception in the second quarter, which came back to a 27 Yard Score.
Both players were all-SEC selections from the first team as seniors with Gamecocks before moving on to the NFL. Samuel was instrumental in helping the 49ers reach the Super Bowl last season, while Kinlaw was the team’s first choice in last year’s draft. Your future in San Francisco looks bright when the team finally gets healthy.