Brooks: De’Zhaun Stribling is “the absolute real deal”

San Francisco 49ers analyst Rod Brooks shared the enery around training camp, De'Zhaun Stribbling turning heads, and more.

BY BRENDEN NUNES

Aug 25, 2026, 6:20 PM Updated: 8:20 pm

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Watch: Rod Brooks: 49ers Rookie WR De'Zhaun Stribling is "the absolute real deal" | 1 min

Rookie wide reciever De’Zhaun Stribling has caught the attention of the fanbase more than any other player on the San Francisco 49ers roster this preseason. In his first two games, the 23-year-old has 11 receptions for 109 yards.

Rod Brooks, 49ers TV analyst for NBC Sports Bay Area, joined Kevin “Whitey” Gleason on The Drive Guys to discuss what he’s seen from Stribling, the latest from the team, and more.

“From the first day I walked in,” Brooks told The Drive Guys. “You could tell immediately how good this young man was.”

San Francisco came into the 2026 NFL Draft with their first-round pick sitting at No. 27. As that selection approached, they made a deal with Miami to move down to No. 30, then later struck a deal with the Jets, dropping their spot to pick No. 33. In return, the 49ers were able to move up later in the draft and acquire an additional fifth-round pick.

Coming out of Ole Miss, De’Zhaun Stribling was selected at 33. San Francisco general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan received considerable public criticism for the decision, as most believed he was a late-round talent.

Even though it’s just preseason, Stribling has already started to change their minds. The conversation has shifted to wonder if the 49ers have found their future lead wide reciever.

“Seeing him in person, everything is true,” Brooks said from his experiences at San Francisco’s practices and training camp. “First thing you notice about him, he catches everything away from his body. His hands are like vise grips.”

“He operates like a basketball player, where he uses his body to shield the defender. Oh yeah, by the way, he’s fast… The dude is the absolute real deal.”

San Francisco has one preseason showing remaining against the Las Vegas Raiders before their debut in Australia. Stribling will be in a wide reciever room that now features Mike Evans and the returning Deebo Samuel Sr. The offense also features top-end talents in tight end George Kittle and running back Christian McCaffrey.

Stribling doesn’t need to be a star right away in San Francisco, but he’s impressed early and could work his way into a larger role. The early returns are promising, but the rookie will have to prove himself again when the games start to count.

Listen to and watch Sactown Sports’ The Drive Guys with Kevin “Whitey” Gleason, airing weekdays from 2 to 6 p.m. PT on Sactown Sports.

Upcoming San Francisco 49ers Schedule

Preseason

Thursday, August 27th – @ Las Vegas Raiders – 5:00 pm PT

Regular Season

Thursday, September 10th – vs. Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia (Season Opener) – 5:35 pm PT
Sunday, September 20th – vs. Miami Dolphins – 1:25 pm PT
Sunday, September 27th – vs. Arizona Cardinals – 1:05 pm PT
Sunday, October 4th – vs. Denver Broncos – 1:25 pm PT

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