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De'Zhaun Stribling has only been a member of the San Francisco 49ers since April, but he's already earned a nickname from the veteran in the quarterback room
"I call him 'The Flying Hawaiian' because he's so fast," backup quarterback Mac Jones said. "But he definitely is fast, but some guys, you know, they can be really quick, but they're not as strong, so he has both. I don't have a comp for him yet, but I think he'll be a really good player."
Stribling, who was born near Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, was the No. 33 overall pick in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft by the 49ers. The wideout capped a five-year college journey that took him from Washington State to Oklahoma State before he landed at Ole Miss for his final season. In 2025, Stribling caught 55 passes for 811 yards and six touchdowns for the Rebels, and he ran a 4.36-second 40-yard dash at the Combine to go with a 36-inch vertical.
Where Stribling lands on the depth chart is still taking shape. With Ricky Pearsall sidelined for the entire 2026 season, the rookie looks like the No. 2 or No. 3 receiver behind Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel, and he's in a battle with Christian Kirk for reps as San Francisco sorts out its post-Pearsall pecking order.
Jones likely won't be the one throwing Stribling the ball much once the season starts, barring another injury to Brock Purdy. But the backup quarterback has become a well-liked figure in that quarterback room and around the building after the role he played a year ago, when he went 5-3 as a starter and helped steer the 49ers into the playoffs while Purdy worked through a turf toe injury.
Stribling has been gaining hype all offseason, and praise continues to trickle down to the rest of the team as the regular season draws nearer.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers rookie earns great nickname from QB Mac Jones
Continue reading...
"I call him 'The Flying Hawaiian' because he's so fast," backup quarterback Mac Jones said. "But he definitely is fast, but some guys, you know, they can be really quick, but they're not as strong, so he has both. I don't have a comp for him yet, but I think he'll be a really good player."
Stribling, who was born near Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, was the No. 33 overall pick in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft by the 49ers. The wideout capped a five-year college journey that took him from Washington State to Oklahoma State before he landed at Ole Miss for his final season. In 2025, Stribling caught 55 passes for 811 yards and six touchdowns for the Rebels, and he ran a 4.36-second 40-yard dash at the Combine to go with a 36-inch vertical.
Where Stribling lands on the depth chart is still taking shape. With Ricky Pearsall sidelined for the entire 2026 season, the rookie looks like the No. 2 or No. 3 receiver behind Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel, and he's in a battle with Christian Kirk for reps as San Francisco sorts out its post-Pearsall pecking order.
Jones likely won't be the one throwing Stribling the ball much once the season starts, barring another injury to Brock Purdy. But the backup quarterback has become a well-liked figure in that quarterback room and around the building after the role he played a year ago, when he went 5-3 as a starter and helped steer the 49ers into the playoffs while Purdy worked through a turf toe injury.
Stribling has been gaining hype all offseason, and praise continues to trickle down to the rest of the team as the regular season draws nearer.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers rookie earns great nickname from QB Mac Jones
Continue reading...
