Aiyuk hauled in 60 receptions for 748 yards and five receiving touchdowns as a rookie. He also carried the football six times for 77 yards and two more scores. His receiving yards total ranks third all-time in franchise history for a rookie while his receptions rank second all-time, and his receiving touchdowns tie for second among first-year players.
Only Deebo Samuel and Jerry Rice had more receiving yards as 49ers rookies, while Earl Cooper and Dave Parks were the lone players to top Aiyuk's receptions and receiving touchdowns, respectively, in their first year.
According to reports out of Santa Clara, it sounds like Aiyuk had a good first day of training camp. He showed off his readiness during team drills with a 35-yard reception from Jimmy Garoppolo up the left sideline, per team reporter Keiana Martin.
That's good news for the 49ers, who hope to put last season's injury-marred season behind them and focus on returning to the Super Bowl.
"He's just one of those guys, his body language, it allows me to anticipate throws," Garoppolo said Wednesday while discussing the throw to Aiyuk. "So we had a couple of them today. The breakdown in the play that you're talking about ... usually as a quarterback, you've got to point them where you want him. And he just broke literally when I broke, when we escaped the pocket together."
Aiyuk had a setback during organized team activities with some groin tightness. The young receiver used the 40 days away from the team to get healthy and ready to compete in training camp.
"Had a little bit of setback and just talking to him and seeing him out there, he's done everything he can to improve off that," head coach Kyle Shanahan said. "I feel he's in a better spot, but time will tell."
Samuel sounds excited about the potential of the 49ers' receiving core featuring Aiyuk, George Kittle, and himself — three players who specialize in racking up yards after that catch. It has earned them the nickname of "The YAC Bros."
While Aiyuk appears to be off to a good start, Samuel knows there is always room for improvement.
"One thing that we always pick on BA about is coming off the ball because he has everything else — the routes, the hands," Samuel told reporters on Wednesday. "So, if he can come off the ball like he's supposed to every play, he's kind of an unguardable guy."
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers' Kyle Shanahan confirms Brandon Aiyuk's absence, addresses uncertain future
Over the weekend, the San Francisco 49ers announced they placed wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk on the reserve/left squad list, officially ending his season—and potentially his future with the team. NFL insider Matt Maiocco reported that the 49ers have been unable to keep tabs on... -
Kyle Shanahan: 49ers' Brandon Aiyuk has been 'extremely distant' since injury
Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk may have played his final snap for the San Francisco 49ers. The team recently placed him on the reserve/left squad list after being unable to maintain contact with the wideout. This move officially ended his chances of returning this season from the... -
49ers teammate on Brandon Aiyuk: 'It doesn't seem like he's coming back'
It appears that Brandon Aiyuk's San Francisco 49ers teammates are coming to terms with the likelihood that the veteran wide receiver won't return this season. Following recent developments, speculation has grown that Aiyuk may have even played his final snap in red and... -
49ers' John Lynch on Brandon Aiyuk's status: "Nothing to add there"
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch joined Bay Area radio station KNBR on Thursday and was asked for an update on wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. His response was brief—there is no update. "Nothing to add there," Lynch said. "We've talked about that ad nauseam....