49ers Rookie Ricky Pearsall drawing Puka Nacua comparisons after miraculous comeback
Ricky Pearsall is entering his second NFL season with high expectations. After being shot before his rookie year, the San Francisco 49ers wide receiver returned to finish strong with 210 yards and 2 touchdowns in his final two games.
With Deebo Samuel traded and Brandon Aiyuk injured, Pearsall is set for a breakout in the 2025 NFL season.
49ers legend
Brent Jones
compares Pearsall to breakout star Puka Nacua
Ricky Pearsall's road to the NFL was anything but ordinary. Shot before his rookie year, the first-round pick didn't just recover, he made a strong late-season impact. In the final two games of 2024, Pearsall totaled 14 receptions for 210 yards and two touchdowns, showcasing his route-running, athleticism, and chemistry with quarterback Brock Purdy.
That late surge caught the attention of former 49ers tight end Brent Jones. Jones missed his own rookie season in 1986 after a head-on collision with a drunk driver. Later released by the Steelers, he rebuilt his career in San Francisco and became a three-time Super Bowl champion. Jones knows what it takes to overcome trauma and succeed at the highest level. He sees the same resilience in Pearsall.
In a recent interview with Guy Haberman, Jones said, 'To actually see it click for him really kind of made it special at the end of the year.
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I look for him to be a big contributor this year. What a special young man to fight back from all of that.'
What makes Pearsall's situation even more interesting is the roster turnover in San Francisco. Deebo Samuel is now in Washington, and Brandon Aiyuk is expected to miss the start of the 2025 season. That leaves Pearsall with a clear path to a starting role and plenty of targets.
Brent Jones went a step further in his praise, saying, 'Do not sleep on this guy.
Maybe not the amount of catches, but I think he's gonna be Puka Nacua-like at some point.'
Nacua was the breakout wide receiver of 2023, posting a rookie-record 105 receptions for 1,486 yards and six touchdowns with the Rams. While Pearsall may not hit those exact numbers, the opportunity is real and the trust from the coaching staff is growing.
Also Read:
Tyreek Hill wants another raise despite $90M deal—Dolphins, McDaniel reportedly considering trade
The 49ers will be relying on their young receiver to make plays early in the season. If Pearsall continues on his current trajectory, he could emerge as one of the NFL's top breakout stars in 2025.
Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
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