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Top 5 Receiving Performances of the 2016-2017 Bowl Season

By Zach Bigalke

Dec 27, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Baylor Bears wide receiver KD Cannon (9) catches a pass for a 30 yard touchdown as Boise State Broncos cornerback Jonathan Moxey (2) defends during the first half during the Cactus Bowl at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Baylor Bears wide receiver KD Cannon (9) catches a pass for a 30 yard touchdown as Boise State Broncos cornerback Jonathan Moxey (2) defends during the first half during the Cactus Bowl at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 29, 2016; Birmingham, AL, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks wide receiver Deebo Samuel (1) is brought down by South Florida Bulls cornerback Tajee Fullwood (13) during the fourth quarter in the 2016 Birmingham Bowl at Legion Field. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2016; Birmingham, AL, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks wide receiver Deebo Samuel (1) is brought down by South Florida Bulls cornerback Tajee Fullwood (13) during the fourth quarter in the 2016 Birmingham Bowl at Legion Field. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports /

Though South Florida ended up preserving a 46-39 victory in the Birmingham Bowl, they needed overtime to do so after South Carolina engineered a late comeback to tie the game in regulation. A big part of the Gamecocks offensive turnaround was thanks to Deebo Samuel, who finished the game with 14 catches for 190 yards and a touchdown. The receiving effort wasn’t enough to stave off a Bulls victory, but it was enough to land Samuel on this top-five list.

Samuel was especially valuable in helping provide an outlet for Gamecocks quarterback Jake Bentley when he came under pressure. Consistently outmuscling USF defenders for the ball, Samuel caught nine passes that moved the chains and another for a touchdown. He showcased his physicality and his leaping ability over and over again on plays like this:

Samuel was a major threat throughout the contest, as he also added a four-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter and finished the game with 97 yards on four kickoff returns. The redshirt sophomore still has two years of eligibility left in Columbia, and he will enter 2017 as a player for both college football fans and NFL scouts to watch.

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