Ricky Pearsall grateful for the opportunity to play for ‘legendary’ 49ers

Apr 26, 2024, 5:10 PM | Updated: 5:12 pm

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 25: Ricky Pearsall #1 of the Florida Gators arrives before the start of a game against the Florida State Seminoles at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 25, 2023 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)

(Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)

BY AMILIANO FRAGOSO

San Francisco 49ers Beat Writer

The San Francisco 49ers got a new weapon for Kyle Shanahan’s offense Thursday, adding Ricky Pearsall to the wide receiver room. In turn, the player is ready to prove them right, excited to be a part of a historic franchise.

The first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft conducted his first media availability in Santa Clara Friday, speaking glowingly about the past 24 hours. The Arizona native may be unknown to many of the 49ers Faithful, but the player himself is elated to be a pat of the Red & Gold.

“I can’t really describe my feelings right now, man. It hasn’t hit yet, just trying to soak it all in,” Pearsall said with a beaming smile.

"I'm gonna prove them right."

Ricky Pearsall is ready to get to work 💪 pic.twitter.com/TmxNxgdGWL

— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) April 26, 2024

The Arizona native is following the footsteps of fellow 49ers wideout Brandon Aiyuk. Both men played together at Arizona State University in 2019 before BA would be picked 25th overall next spring by the 49ers. Pearsall would go on to play tow more years at ASU before transferring to Florida in 2022.

But while the two players went separate ways, they remain in-touch, with the 49ers newest rookie modeling his game after his teammate.

“Somebody I watched a lot was Brandon Aiyuk,” he said. “He was my teammate, I got to watch him my freshman year and it just felt like every time he touched the ball or was thrown his way, he was taken it to the house.”

Aiyuk has also been in Pearsall’s eye this offseason, helping to introduce him to the business side of football.

“He’s going to help me tremendously. There’s chemistry already. He facetimed me last night to wish me good luck. Hopefully we remain teammates, the 49ers rookie said on KNBR Friday.

As for how Ricky Pearsall will fit with the 49ers’ offense? He doesn’t care, willingly to adapt to coach Kyle Shanahan play calls at all times. One of the Florida alum’s best traits is his versatility, something that made him so enticing for the Red & Gold.

“I think that one of my strong suits is just being versatile in my game,” the wideout stated. “Whatever he asks from me, he’s gonna put me in the best position [to succeed]. That’s something that he does a really great job of, is putting people in the right spots and attacking their strength…I want to help an explosive offense become that much more explosive.”

The 49ers ranked first in the NFL at explosive plays last season. Adding Pearsall to the mix should only amplify that, wanting to take it to defenses through the air next season.

But for now, the 23-year-old is enjoying the moment, looking to prove his new employers right when the time comes.

“Like I said man, I’m trying to be where my feet are at. Obviously, this is a legendary program. I just appreciate the entire organization for taking a chance on me, I’m gonna prove them right,” he said.