Ricky Pearsall has drawn positive attention from training camp observers. However, as the San Francisco 49ers' rookie wide receiver works to transition from college to the NFL, he is far from a finished product.
Pearsall began camp on the non-football injury (NFI) list due to a hamstring injury sustained while away from the team. This delayed his start, but he has since returned to practice.
"He's been doing an awesome job working, being that he started behind a little bit with the hamstring injury," 49ers receivers coach Leonard Hankerson said on Monday. "But he's been doing an awesome job. I love his mentality when it comes to his work ethic. He always wants to be coached and he always wants to go out there and win."
Hankerson advises Pearsall to expect a transition period and not to be discouraged by early challenges.
"I'm not saying he's struggling, but what I'm saying is that it's always going to be a curve where he has to learn, and that's the case," Hankerson continued. "That doesn't mean he's not doing well. That means we always got to go out there and work on what we need to work on to perfect the craft.
"So he's working. He's working, and I appreciate the efforts that he's putting in, and we just gotta keep growing."
Ronnie Bell
Second-year wideout Ronnie Bell has been making a strong case for a more significant role in the crowded receiver room. Despite playing only 17 percent of offensive snaps last season, he has shown considerable growth this offseason.
"For Ronnie, it was more consistency at the line of scrimmage," Hankerson explained. "He needs to continue to learn how to separate from man. He needs to continue to work on transitioning in and out of cuts. And the main thing with him is finishing, and he's been doing an awesome job doing so."
Jauan Jennings
The 49ers committed to Jauan Jennings this offseason by signing the physical wide receiver to a contract extension. Jennings has continued to impress in training camp, although his coaches believe he has yet to reach his full potential.
"Jauan has been doing an awesome job," Hankerson stated. "I can't say enough about the guys, about him, especially. Jauan, every single day, gives you everything, every single thing that he's got. And consistently, he shows up.
"His routes have improved drastically there. He's been catching everything that comes his way. ... He's been consistently in the right spot at the right time, creating separation. In the running game, he's outstanding."