New San Francisco 49ers wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling, who was drafted in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft, spoke to reporters immediately after his selection. Here is everything he said.
Transcript provided by the San Francisco 49ers Communications staff.
Where are you right now, and who did you spend the draft day with?
"I'm currently in Hawaii, down here on the west side. Spent the whole draft here with all my family and friends. Really just a little tight circle."
Did you have a did you have an inkling that the 49ers were this interested in you, and how do you see yourself coming out to this team?
"Yeah, I definitely had a little communication in this whole process. But very excited to be here, very excited to come in and work, contribute however I can and just help the team win."
How familiar are you with WR Mike Evans, their newest acquisition during free agency?
"Yeah, always been a fan of him growing up, so I think it's a beautiful thing that I'll be able to share the receiver room with him and learn off of him."
How do you see your skillset fitting in with head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense and how that passing attack works?
"Yeah, so I'm a very versatile guy. I can do a lot of things and also block at a high level. So, very excited to go out there and contribute in the pass game, but also the run game.
Did you meet with president of football operations and general manager John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan at the Combine, and what were those conversations like if you did?
"No, I haven't met with them yet. First time hearing from them, so excited to know more about them and have some more conversations."
As you went to bed last night, were you thinking I could be the first guy off the board tomorrow?
"You know, I was ready at all times. Couldn't really sleep last night, you know, kind of just waiting up for the moment, but very excited and very blessed for it."
To follow up on that, what was the moment when you heard your name called?
"Oh, just a surreal feeling kind of just feeling all the emotions all at one time. How I'm very happy to celebrate with me, all my family and all the people that helped me get here."
If you could elaborate a bit, what's your message to the Faithful and 49ers fans all over the world?
"Yeah, I'm excited to be here, excited to work and excited to do what I can to help us win."
Were you surprised the 49ers picked you or did you know there was interest there?
"I believe there was some interest, but it's always a surprise and it's always a blessing. In the Draft, you never know what can happen. So excited for all the opportunities."
Growing up in Hawaii, did you notice 49ers fans just around? It seems like there's a lot of them there in particular.
"For sure. Being in Hawaii, this is a big thing over here. Everyone is a Niners fan, so definitely happy I can put on and represent over here."
As you come to this team, what do you know about the offense and the supporting cast behind or around QB Bock Purdy?
"Yeah, so have a great offense, have a lot of playmakers on the offense. A lot of guys who can do different things, so I'm just very excited to come in, fit in and just kind of just make my little mark."
What are the benefits of playing in three different schools, three different systems and now coming here?
"I learned a lot. I learned a lot of offense, learned a lot of ball, ran different types of offenses, concepts, so kind of just feel very ready, very positive about everything with my learning skills and everything I can recall."
How would you define your dream of an NFL career?
"You know, just really try not to put too many expectations on anything, just kind of getting in, competing at a high level, getting on the field early and just contributing to the team however I can."
Obviously, you're coming in and you have your perspective on learning from everyone that you'll be playing with, but where do you feel like your skillset is the strongest that you will immediately be able to show this is the impact that I can make with the 49ers?
"Yeah, my physicality, my run after catch and having reliable hands. So, all those three things kind of fit into one and kind of just being there for the quarterback and being there for the team."
You probably haven't had a chance to think about it a lot, but what similarities do you see between Louisiana State University Head Coach Lane Kiffin's offense and what Kyle Shanahan runs in San Francisco?
"Yeah, a lot of similar concepts, trying to get the receivers open, but also having a big part in the run game with the receivers blocking. So very excited for the opportunity and very blessed to be here."
Before today, did you have a favorite NFL team? Is there a comp out there, a wide receiver that you've patterned yourself after?
"Yeah, I haven't really had a favorite NFL team, growing up in Hawaii, but I've always liked watching [Los Angeles Rams WR] Puka Nacua's game. I'm a big fan of him and also loved watching [Pittsburgh Steelers WR] DK [Metcalf] growing up. So, very excited to be in the league now and compete with all these guys and also learn from them."
Well, with DK Metcalf being an Ole Miss product, do you have a relationship with him? Have you learned to play with him or train with him at any time?
"Yeah, I had some training sessions with him back at Ole Miss, just catching balls and stuff like that. So, I've just been able to ask him questions and get some feedback from him."
Do you have a relationship with San Francisco 49ers WR Jordan Watkins who the Niners selected last year, and then were there any conversations with 49ers Hall of Fame LB Patrick Willis at all?
"Yeah, I talked to J-Wat a little bit since I've been here at Ole Miss. But that was really it, kind of surface level for the most part."
How often do you go back home, having spent a lot of time on the mainland and throughout your college years?
"Yeah, I normally come back home once a year, if that. Always in the summer, sometimes after the bowl game. Whenever I'm home, I really try to take advantage of it, relax a lot, stay at the beach, just get as much sunlight as I can."
So, you've got a lot of family there?
"Yes, I still have a whole bunch of family here."
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