Rookie receiver De’Zhaun Stribling is back on the field at 49ers training camp practice after the team managed some hamstring tightness he’d been dealing with a week ago. This dude’s return is big news for the offense, especially with what backup quarterback Mac Jones is saying about him. Jones has even got a nickname for Stribling: “the Flyin’ Hawaiian,” and it’s all about pure speed.
Mac Jones Is All In On The “Flyin’ Hawaiian”
Jones was asked what Stribling brings to the receiver room that wasn’t there last year, and he just went off. He called him “the Flyin’ Hawaiian” because he’s “so fast.” But it’s not just about straight-line speed, right? Jones pointed out that some guys are quick but lack strength, and Stribling has “both.” That’s a combo that can absolutely change the game, you know? The 49ers will really need Stribling to step up and live up to his draft status, especially after the recent Ricky Pearsall news. We’ve heard players like Demarcus Robinson and Junior Bergen flashing at the position, but a rookie with Stribling’s unique skillset could be a total game-changer. Jones doesn’t have a comp for him yet, but he’s already calling it: “I think he’ll be a really good player.” That’s high praise from a guy who sees these dudes every single day.
“Second Gear” Speed and Big Potential
What really impressed Jones about Stribling is how he tracks the ball in the air. He says Stribling “has like a second gear when the ball’s in the air.” Think about it: a lot of guys, even fast ones, slow down when their eyes go up to the ball. Not Stribling. Jones said, “he doesn’t do that, so it’s pretty impressive.” That “ball speed,” where you maintain your pace all the way to the catch point, is super important. You want guys who can attack the ball without slowing down, and Stribling apparently has that. Jones mentioned Mike Evans and Jordan Watkins as other players who can do that, but the focus on Stribling’s raw talent and unique ability to accelerate into the catch point is what has everyone talking.
Keep an eye on Jordan Watkins too, by the way. Jones likes him a lot, calling him “one of my good buddies on the team.” Watkins is “really fast” and “has a lot of talent,” playing in “big-time football in college.” The issue for Watkins has been consistency catching the ball, specifically not letting it get into his shoulder pads. Jones and Watkins apparently have this connection where they push each other to play the “next play” after a bad one, and Watkins has “done a better job of that this training camp.” If Watkins can string it all together, his athleticism could totally “raise the ceiling of the offense.” We’re talking about a player who has what it takes, if he can just put it all together.
So, as we head into preseason, keep an eye on Stribling and Watkins. Will the “Flyin’ Hawaiian” make good on Jones’s huge praise? Can Watkins find that consistency and elevate the offense? These are the questions that make early season football so exciting, and we’ll start getting answers soon enough.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Niners Nation.
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