The San Francisco 49ers drafted wide receiver Ricky Pearsall in the first round (No. 31 overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft. Prior to entering the NFL, where did Pearsall go to school, and how did he climb draft boards to become a first-rounder? Here’s everything you need to know about the potential star and his journey to the NFL.
How Tall Is Ricky Pearsall?
At the NFL Combine, Pearsall measured in at exactly 6’1″. For comparison, the average NFL wide receiver is roughly 6’0 1/2″, so Pearsall is slightly above average.
The tallest active wide receiver in the NFL is Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Johnny Wilson, who is 6’7″. After him, it’s a four-way tie between Mike Evans, Allen Lazard, A.T. Perry, and Equanimeous St. Brown, all of whom are 6’5″.
The shortest wide receiver in the NFL is Deonte Harty, who stands at 5’6″.
How Much Does Pearsall Weigh?
Pearsall weighed in at 189 pounds, which is a bit below the average at his position (200.3 pounds).
The heaviest NFL wide receiver is Chase Claypool, who weighs 238 pounds. He’s followed by DK Metcalf and Evans at 235 and 231 pounds, respectively.
How Old Is Pearsall?
Born on Sept. 9, 2000, Pearsall is 24 years old. He’s one of the older players in the 2024 rookie class.
However, this didn’t scare off the 49ers, who still felt he was worth drafting in the first round despite being several years older than some prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft.
What School Did Pearsall Go To?
Born in Phoenix, Pearsall played his high school football at Corona del Sol High School in Tempe, Ariz. As a junior, he finished with 74 receptions for 1,153 yards and 15 touchdowns. According to 247Sports, he was rated as a three-star prospect.
He ultimately committed to Arizona State, choosing the Sun Devils despite receiving offers from Air Force, Hawaii, Idaho, New Mexico State, Northern Arizona, and UC Davis. After playing three seasons at Arizona State, he transferred to Florida, spending two seasons with the Gators before entering the 2024 NFL Draft.
Revisiting Pearsall’s College Career
Pearsall didn’t play much during his first two seasons at Arizona State. As a freshman, he didn’t start a single game, and he caught just seven passes for 128 yards.
Then, his sophomore season was shortened to just four games due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As a junior, he started to turn heads, catching 48 passes for 580 yards and four touchdowns.
Following his transfer to Florida in 2022, he played with Anthony Richardson, who would go on to become a top-five pick by the Indianapolis Colts. Pearsall caught 33 passes for 661 yards and five touchdowns.
In 2023, Pearsall had a career year, catching 65 passes for 965 yards and four touchdowns. He finished his college career with 102 receptions for 1,547 yards and 10 touchdowns.
How Fast Was Pearsall’s 40-Yard Dash?
At the NFL Combine, Pearsall had a really impressive showing that highlighted his athleticism and significantly boosted his draft stock.
His 40 time was an impressive 4.41 seconds, he had a 42-inch vertical jump, and he did 17 reps on the bench press.
Pearsall’s NFL Outlook
In the 2024 NFL Draft, the 49ers selected Pearsall with the No. 31 overall pick. He was the sixth wide receiver picked in the first round, and he joins a San Francisco team that is a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
Unfortunately, before Pearsall could play his first NFL game, he was shot through the chest during a robbery attempt. Miraculously, Pearsall was released from the hospital the following day and returned to the 49ers’ facility.
Pearsall was placed on the NFI list, meaning he must miss the first four games of the regular season. Fortunately, 49ers general manager John Lynch said that Pearsall is okay, and he expects the rookie wide receiver to play at some point this season.