Ricky Pearsall Bio
Richard Pearsall Jr., known professionally as Ricky Pearsall, is an American professional football wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing around 190 pounds, Pearsall combines reliable hands with the speed to stretch a defense, traits that pushed him into the first round of the 2024 NFL draft. After playing college football at Arizona State and Florida, he arrived in the Bay Area as a polished route runner with a reputation for explosive performances in big games. His young career has already included both serious adversity and early on-field success, shaping a player whom the 49ers view as a long-term building block of their offense.
Early Life and Background
Richard Pearsall Jr. was born on September 9, 2000, in Phoenix, Arizona, and grew up in the nearby city of Chandler. He attended Corona del Sol High School in Tempe, where he developed into one of the state’s most productive pass catchers. As a junior, Pearsall set the Arizona High School 6A single-game receiving yard record with 342 yards on 14 receptions against Gilbert High School, a performance that announced him as a regional standout.
He finished that breakout season with 74 receptions for 1,153 yards and 15 touchdowns, drawing attention from college programs across the West. Rated a three-star recruit, Pearsall committed to Arizona State over offers from Air Force, Hawaii, Idaho, New Mexico State, Northern Arizona, and UC Davis. His father, Ricky Pearsall Sr., is a captain within the Phoenix Fire Department and a former college football player at Northern Arizona, giving the young receiver a strong foundation of athletic discipline and family support.
Path to Professional Football
Pearsall began his college career at Arizona State, where he appeared immediately as a freshman with seven receptions for 128 yards. He played all four games of the COVID-19 shortened 2020 Pac-12 season, finishing with six catches for 86 yards and one touchdown, and returned as a junior to post 48 receptions for 580 yards and a team-high four receiving scores. After the 2021 season, he entered the NCAA transfer portal and ultimately chose Florida, also considering Oregon along the way.
At Florida, Pearsall battled a foot injury during training camp but recovered in time for the 2022 season, where he recorded 33 receptions for 661 yards and five touchdowns, including five catches for 148 yards and two touchdowns in a loss to Florida State. His 2023 campaign marked his most productive college year, with 65 receptions for 965 yards and four touchdowns, cementing his status as an NFL prospect. The San Francisco 49ers selected him in the first round, 31st overall, of the 2024 NFL draft, making him the sixth wide receiver taken that year.
Ricky Pearsall Career
Early Career (2024)
On June 21, 2024, the San Francisco 49ers signed Pearsall to a four-year, $12.35 million contract that included a signing bonus of $5.93 million and was fully guaranteed at signing. His rookie season, however, took a dramatic turn on August 31, 2024, when a 17-year-old from Tracy, California, allegedly attempting to steal his Rolex watch, shot Pearsall through the chest during a robbery attempt in Union Square, San Francisco. He was en route to an autograph signing event when the attack occurred, and after a struggle for the gun both he and the suspect were shot.
Pearsall was transported to San Francisco General Hospital and released the next day after his condition was upgraded from serious to fair. Just nine days later, he recovered enough to appear on the sidelines of the 49ers’ season opener against the New York Jets at Levi’s Stadium, where he was warmly welcomed by the crowd. After being placed on the reserve/non-football injury list on September 2, Pearsall was activated on October 19 and made his NFL debut in week 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs, recording three receptions for 21 yards in a 28-18 loss.
NFL Breakthrough (2024)
Pearsall’s first career touchdown came on November 10 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, when he finished with four receptions for 73 yards and a score. He built momentum through the second half of the season, and his most impressive performance arrived in week 17 against the Detroit Lions, when he tallied eight receptions for 141 yards and a touchdown. That outing marked the most receiving yards by a 49ers rookie in a single game since Jerry Rice posted 241 yards in 1985, drawing immediate national attention to the young pass catcher.
He closed his rookie year with 31 receptions for 400 yards and three touchdowns, a steady contribution given the time lost to recovery. Across his debut season, Pearsall demonstrated the ability to play on the outside and in the slot while adjusting to the speed of professional defensive backs. His production in limited action suggested a higher ceiling as he continued to build chemistry with the 49ers’ quarterback room.
San Francisco 49ers Era (2024–Present)
After his rookie campaign, Pearsall entered the 2025 offseason focused on refining his route tree and adding strength. On July 18, he was placed on the physically unable to perform list as he worked through a hamstring injury, a cautious move by the team’s medical staff. He returned to play in the 49ers’ first four games of the regular season before suffering a PCL injury during a 26-21 loss against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Pearsall came back for the 49ers’ week 11 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals, signaling another swift recovery and reinforcing his reputation for toughness. His contract runs through the 2028 season, underlining the organization’s long-term belief in his development. With each return from setback, Pearsall has reinforced his role as a core piece of the 49ers’ receiving corps.
Driving Style and Strengths
On the field, Pearsall is at his best when working intermediate and deep routes, using precise footwork and strong hands to win at the catch point. He tracks the ball well down the sideline and shows the body control to adjust to off-target throws, which made him an immediate outlet for his quarterback. His college production against SEC and Pac-12 competition highlighted an ability to gain separation against press coverage, a skill that translated quickly to the NFL level.
Notable Events and Milestones
The most defining off-field moment of Pearsall’s early career came with the August 2024 shooting, an incident he survived and from which he returned within weeks. He celebrated that recovery by presenting signed 49ers jerseys to the police officer and trauma surgeon who helped save his life during the 49ers’ home opener. On the field, his week 17 performance against Detroit placed his name alongside Hall of Famer Jerry Rice in the 49ers’ record book, a milestone that underlined his potential as a future cornerstone receiver.
Ricky Pearsall Career Wins and Highlights
In his rookie NFL season, Pearsall established himself as a reliable target, finishing 2024 with 31 receptions for 400 yards and three touchdowns despite missing nearly half the year. His first career touchdown against Tampa Bay marked the arrival of a young receiver ready to contribute, while his 141-yard game against Detroit announced his big-play ceiling. Across both college stops at Arizona State and Florida, he produced more than 2,300 receiving yards and multiple touchdowns, building a foundation that made him a first-round selection.
NFL Highlights
Pearsall’s first NFL win as a starter came shortly after his October debut, and he quickly became a featured piece of the 49ers’ passing game. His week 17 effort against Detroit produced the most receiving yards by a 49ers rookie since Jerry Rice’s legendary 1985 game, cementing Pearsall’s place in a storied franchise history. By season’s end, his three touchdowns gave the 49ers a versatile young weapon capable of lining up across the formation.
College Highlights
At Arizona State, Pearsall developed steadily, finishing his junior year with 48 receptions for 580 yards and a team-high four touchdowns before entering the transfer portal. After moving to Florida, he posted 33 receptions for 661 yards and five touchdowns in 2022 and exploded for 65 receptions for 965 yards and four scores in 2023, including a 148-yard, two-touchdown performance against rival Florida State. Those numbers convinced the 49ers to invest a first-round pick in his future.
Ricky Pearsall Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Ricky Pearsall comes from an athletic family rooted in public service. His father, Ricky Pearsall Sr., serves as a captain within the Phoenix Fire Department and played college football at Northern Arizona, exposing his son to both the discipline of emergency response and the demands of competitive football. That combination of toughness and structure shaped Pearsall’s approach to the game from an early age.
Personal Life
Beyond football, Pearsall has remained connected to his hometown community in the Phoenix area, including Chandler and Tempe, where he attended Corona del Sol High School. His recovery from the 2024 shooting and his public gestures of gratitude to first responders reflected the values instilled by his family’s background. As he continues his career with the 49ers, Pearsall carries that family legacy into each chapter of his professional journey.
2025 Season Performance
Ricky Pearsall’s 2025 campaign began on a cautious note when he was placed on the physically unable to perform list on July 18 due to a hamstring injury. Once healthy, he returned to action and played in the 49ers’ first four games of the regular season, providing a steady presence in the passing attack. A PCL injury suffered during a 26-21 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars interrupted his progress, but he again demonstrated his resilience by coming back for the week 11 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals.
Through the early portion of the season, Pearsall has continued to develop his connection with the 49ers’ quarterbacks and coaching staff, building on the chemistry that produced his strong rookie finishes. His ability to line up both outside and in the slot has given the offensive game plan added flexibility, particularly against press-man defenses. With the team still in playoff contention and Pearsall trending toward full health, his production in the second half of the 2025 season is expected to play a meaningful role in the 49ers’ postseason push.