49ers: How Pearsall’s dad turned son’s sweet tooth into catching prowess

As his Ricky Pearsall Jr. arrived at Levi's Stadium after being drafted by the 49ers, his father recalled how he used to throw Skittles at him to groom his catching skills.

SANTA CLARA — Ricky Pearsall Sr. clutched an official NFL football in his right arm, an initial memento from the 49ers upon his son’s arrival Friday at Levi’s Stadium as this year’s first-round draft pick.

“This came from the locker room,” beamed the proud father. “They said, ‘Go ahead, take it.’ I said, ‘All right, a little present for Dad.’ ”

That Wilson football is supersized compared to what father and son played catch with 20 years ago: Skittles.

“I have a funny story about that,” the elder Pearsall told this news organization after his son’s media meet-and-greet.

“So, he was pretty young. I saw him running around the backyard (in Chandler, Ariz.) and said, ‘This kid looks pretty fast, even in his diapers.’ I knew I wanted to have a son who played sports. Then it went to the point we’d throw the ball around and we’d play catch.

“I wanted him to show him how to catch with his hands from the get-go. No body catches.

“So I had a pile of Skittles. I told him, ‘Every time you catch it with your hands, you get a Skittle, but you can’t eat it, yet. It’s going to go in this pile. And if you catch it with your body or drop it, I’m taking your Skittle from you.”

“So he’d be happy every time he got a Skittle. But when time I took it away from him, he’d cry and he’d get really frustrated. And I’d encourage him, ‘Hey, just catch with your hands, and you’ll get more.’

“It turned into determination right off the bat, like, ‘I want that candy. I want that candy. So I’m going to do whatever it takes to make the catch.’ ”

The Pearsalls did not stop there. They would do other football drills, all year long, to enhance Ricky Jr.’s career that has reached the NFL, via the 49ers’ No. 31 overall pick in Thursday night’s NFL Draft.

Last season — his second at Florida after three at Arizona State — Ricky Pearsall Jr. had four drops on 146 targets, the fourth-lowest drop rate in college football, according to draft website The 33rd Team.

Ricky Pearsall had the 4th lowest drop rate in CFB last season for players that saw 100+ targets (2.74%, 4 drops on 146 targets)

: @scoutdnfl pic.twitter.com/5mLdJAkqVK https://t.co/Xrkv0d7dmr

— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) April 26, 2024

Coach Kyle Shanahan mentioned Pearsall’s “really good hands,” a trait he surely inherited from his father, a Northern Arizona receiver and punt returner from 1993-96.

With his father, as well as his mother, Erin, sitting in the Levi’s Stadium auditorium during Friday’s introductory press conference, Ricky Jr. said: “Words can’t explain the impact they had on me since I was a young kid.

“My dad introduced football to me when I was 6 years old. He played a big role in my life. He’s the reason I play this game, today,” Ricky Jr. said. “Obviously, my mom is over there, too, and she inspired me growing up. She’s a strong woman.”

Pearsall grew up in Chandler and played quarterback in a youth football league not far from where current 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy was raised, in the further east suburb of Queen Creek.

While the basketball courts also offered a chance to display supreme athleticism and jumping ability, Pearsall wasn’t into playing catch on the baseball field. “He tried to play when he was little, but it was too slow, unless he was going to be the pitcher or catcher,” his father said.

“I started player receiver in high school (Corona del Sol in Tempe), and that’s when I could look up to him and follow in his footsteps,” the younger Pearsall said of his father.

Friday afternoon, his father’s eyes welled with tearful pride as he declared himself his son’s No. 1 fan.

“It’s pretty remarkable, I’d say,” Pearsall Sr. said as he followed his son’s lead out of the auditorium and into his NFL future.

* * *

Here is what Ricky Pearsall Jr. had to say in his formal press conference:

Talked to any WRs other than Aiyuk?

Pearsall: “No I haven’t. I just recently met Deebo though. He’s in Arizona training too. That’s how I met him. Good people too.”

Talked with Brock Purdy?

Pearsall: “He just reached out to me this morning, congratulating me, said we’re going to get to work. We’re going to get a lot of throwing sessions.”

Did you speak about Brock’s 70-point game as a high school opponent?

Pearsall: “I just told him I’m happy we’re playing together.”

What has it been like since you were picked by 49ers?

Pearsall: “It was a surreal moment, Trust trying to soak it all in, be where my feet are at, enjoy this moment with my family. My family’s here, my girlfriend’s here. Just trying to get that full experience of what it’s like to be here and we’re having a great time today.”

What have been your emotions over the last 24 hours?

Pearsall: “Words can’t really describe my feelings right now. It hasn’t hit yet. Just trying to soak it all in, be where my feet are at. Obviously this was a legendary program. I just appreciate the organization taking a chance on me and I’m going to prove them right. I’m looking forward to getting the work in and showing everybody.”

Do you know Houston QB C.J. Stroud, who said yesterday how he really wanted you as a teammate?

Pearsall: “We were communicating a little bit. We were just showing our respect to each other, I respect his game, obviously, he’s having a lot of success the first year, he’s going to be a great player and he was just giving his respect to me and my game. He’s been watching film on me throughout this entire process.”

Have you seen the practice field and visualized yourself on it?

Pearsall: “That’s actually what we just got back from doing. I was looking at the practice field, imagining myself out there. Wanted to see inside the weight room but we saw the building the weight room’s in, visualizing myself out there.”

How has your route-running skill developed?

Pearsall: “Just doing the work each and every day. I just got to give all credit to my coaches, my pops helping with me that as well. All the people in my circle, they played a tremendous role in improving my route running abilities, and just the dedication I have to it, and staying true to it and the game and going over film and doing what I need to do to be a great wideout, improve my route running. Put in the work for it.”

Who are your biggest influences and mentors?

Pearsall: “My biggest? Tough question because I had a lot of good coaches. I had five different position coaches throughout my college career, so I had a lot of really good coaches to help me out. It’s hard to pick one out of the bunch, but I think all of them played an equal role.”

Does it help having a background as a youth QB?

Pearsall: “For sure, I think the game looks a little bit different when you’re seeing it from a quarterback’s lens. Finding that true understanding of the game, knowing that spot you’ve got to be at in certain concepts. I think it definitely helped me from that standpoint, but as a receiver you’ve got to be a quarterback’s best friend all the time, spend time with them and be on the same page and communicate.”

What are your thoughts on returning punts?

Pearsall: “For sure that’s something I’m definitely going to harp on doing. I was super excited when they told me I was going to be returning last year.”

Shanahan said he reminds you of him . . . only better.

Pearsall: “I gotta see the tape. If you’ve got a cut-up send it my way. That’s a great compliment though.”

Circumstances of transfer from Arizona State to Florida . . .

Pearsall: “I was put in a position where I felt my goals and aspirations, I felt like couldn’t reach those staying at that program, unfortunately. I had to make a decision, and that was the decision I made, and luckily a program like Florida reached out to me and top to bottom, such a great staff. They welcomed me right away. Easy process, easy transition.”

What will be your role in the Shanahan system?

Pearsall: “Whatever he asks from me, he’s going to put me in the best position, and that’s something I think he does a really great job of is putting people in the right spots and attacking their strengths. I’m excited to see where he puts me in the system. I’m excited to run his plays.”

What receiver do you pattern yourself after?

Pearsall: “Somebody I watched a lot was Brandon Aiyuk. He was my teammate. I got to watch him freshman year and it felt like every time he touched the ball he was taking it to the house, Watching a dude like that really helped me, seeing what it takes to get to the next level, and from there, watching my own film, and looking at guys like Justin Jefferson, Keenan Allen, Davante Adams, Amari Cooper and just stealing things from them. They’re doing things at a high level and I feel if I can add to my game it’s only going to make me a better football player.”

How do you see yourself impacting the team this season?

Pearsall: “Just adding to the arsenal really, all the weapons that they have, have an explosive offense, make it that much more explosive. I don’t really know exactly where they’re going to have me playing or how utilize me but I know I’m going to put me in the right position to go out there and make the right plays. I’m really excited and looking forward to do that for this program.”