Ricky Pearsall's former head coach reveals what helped propel receiver to become the 49ers' first-round pick

For Ricky Pearsall, the 2024 NFL Draft was a vindication of a decision to bet on himself.

The Florida wide receiver was able to celebrate going 31st overall in the first round to the San Francisco 49ers, having been motivated by being told he would not get anywhere close to that position a year earlier.

Speaking to Bay Area reporters, Florida head coach Billy Napier revealed how Pearsall was told he would likely be a third-round pick if he elected to enter the 2023 draft, with that information fueling a final season in college that convinced the 49ers make him their top pick.

"Play strength was one of the things that was mentioned by a few of the general managers and scouts that we had conversations with," Napier said, per NBC Sports Bay Area.

"And I think he took that personally. He needed to show physicality and play strength. Ultimately, he built his offseason program that way, and he went to work on that."

Pearsall surpassed 1,000 scrimmage yards for the first time in his career in 2023, racking up 1,076 while scoring six total touchdowns.

Not content with that impressive production, Pearsall then crushed his workout at the NFL Combine.

Pearsall ran the 40-yard dash in 4.41 seconds and posted the sixth-best broad jump (10ft 9in), while his effort of 42 inches in the vertical leap was topped by only two receivers. With his performance in those drills showcasing his explosion, Pearsall demonstrated the agility that is clear on tape by recording the best three-cone time (6.64 seconds) and the third-best time in the 20-yard shuttle (4.05 seconds).

Arguably most impressive, though, was the strength he displayed on the bench, completing 17 reps, tied for the sixth-most among wideouts.

“His desire to do that bench press, to test well, that was a little of, ‘OK, I’m going to answer the critics here,'" Napier added. "And I think he ultimately checked that box.

"This guy’s skill level is way up there. Receiver is a skill position, so the release game, the top of the route, the ability to separate within the route on the stems, and then the hand selection, the ball skills. He is a guy who is a product of the work.

"The football coach sees that immediately, and that’s why all these NFL guys fell in love with the guy. Those skills he has are the product of a lot of work, and Ricky has been relentless."

It is clear that Napier sees Pearsall's work ethic as his defining trait, one that should put him in position to succeed playing with a quarterback in Brock Purdy who is highly regarded for his own level of preparation.