The Brandon Aiyuk hype train is getting ready to leave the station, and it looks like it may be reaching capacity. Reporters have loved what they've seen from the San Francisco 49ers rookie receiver. In four practices, he has showcased what pushed Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch to make him the team's second of two first-round draft picks.
Aiyuk has also grabbed the attention of one of his All-Pro teammates, tight end George Kittle.
"The things I have noticed is he has incredible hands, and that dude is really fast," Kittle said Wednesday on 95.7 The Game's The Morning Show. "It doesn't look like he's even running. He just kind of glides along the ground. It's kind of insane. I like seeing that.
"I like seeing how he can get into the huddle with the ones, and he can execute. That's really fun to see."
Aiyuk is quickly picking up the 49ers offense, which is good news for Shanahan, who may have to rely on some added production from the rookie should Deebo Samuel continue to be sidelined heading into the regular season.
"He's not a guy you've had to teach how to act or teach how important it is to learn this stuff," Shanahan said over the weekend. "You can tell he understood that before he got here. And since we've been around him, you can tell he's been working, and that's why he's further ahead, I think, than a lot of rookies would be at this time."
Even when Aiyuk makes a mistake, he learns from it.
"We mess up (during practice) sometimes, but he always comes in, he catches the next ball," Kittle shared. "Honestly, I haven't seen him drop a pass, which is pretty sick, too."
Aiyuk is taking advantage of his opportunity. He worked out with teammates during the offseason as he and other players across the league weren't allowed to meet face-to-face with their coaches or enter team facilities. That hard work is paying off in training camp.
"He's having a great camp so far," Kittle added, "and I know the longer that we're here, practicing together, the better he's going to get. I think he's going to be just fine, and I think he's going to have a great season for us."
You can listen to the entire interview with Kittle below.
More info on: George Kittle, Deebo Samuel
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