Wide receiver Brandin Cooks grew up in Stockton, California, so he's very familiar with his new team, the San Francisco 49ers. In fact, the 49ers were his childhood favorite, making his arrival in San Francisco a surreal moment for the veteran receiver, who is entering his 13th NFL season.

"It's a blessing. It's a dream come true, childhood team," Cooks told reporters ahead of Wednesday's practice, his first with the 49ers. "I was telling them earlier, riding my bike to training camp when they had training camp at UOP (University of the Pacific), kind of peek through the fences and watch practice. So, this means a lot, for sure."


Cooks will turn 33 this week and may have dated himself a bit with younger 49ers fans. He was asked which players he looked up to while growing up. Still, his knowledge of the team's history is impressive.

"I'll throw out some names like J.J. Stokes," Cooks said. "Obviously, you got T.O. [Terrell Owens] and all that, but some of those guys—even Brandon Lloyd back then, the way that he played the game, 'Gumby' is what they called him. But yeah, so a couple of those guys that come to mind right away."

Cooks is believed to have had options with other teams. He was asked what made the 49ers appealing beyond the opportunity to play for his childhood team.

"I think, you know, at the end of the day, being a vet, obviously not being in camp and OTAs, I think the benefit of that is you come in, at the end of the day, you've got a high level of football and that knowledge of what [head coach Kyle] Shanahan has been doing over the years, to be able to come in, really, and ultimately get up to speed and play," Cooks said.

"Yeah, you talk about it's a veteran offense, but at the end of the day, crunch-time situation, where this team is trying to get, and ultimately win it all, I think that's important to have guys with that experience."


Cooks added that the opportunity to play for Shanahan was particularly enticing.

"His ability and what he does as an offensive play-caller, I've always been fond of, even from afar," he said of the coach.

Brandin Cooks excited to join 49ers stars


Cooks will join a 49ers receiver room that includes veteran Mike Evans. Both Cooks and Evans were part of the 2014 NFL Draft.

"It's cool to be able to come in with Mike," Cooks said. "Obviously, we've been friends for a really long time. Never played together, but kind of just having a respect for each other from afar.

"And obviously, [TE George] Kittle, what he's done in this league, [WR] Deebo [Samuel], the playmaker he is, [RB Christian McCaffrey] in the backfield, Purdy ... it is exciting, for sure."


Cooks is also looking forward to catching passes from Brock Purdy, particularly after watching the 49ers quarterback's impressive play through the first two games of the season.

"He's balling," Cooks said. It seems like he's playing at a whole other level than he has been playing at over the years, and that's saying a lot because he's been playing at a high level since the moment that he entered this league."



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