De’Zhaun Stribling made a notable impression in his San Francisco 49ers debut during the team's preseason opener on Thursday night. The rookie wide receiver was targeted eight times, catching seven passes for 63 yards, including a 32-yard reception in the second quarter that highlighted his athleticism.
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan acknowledged Stribling's performance, stating, "I thought he struggled a little bit on that first drive, but I think he got three drives after that and seemed like he executed all the stuff that went to him." Shanahan also noted, "I liked how his hands looked out there, and he played physical."
Stribling admitted to feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness during his first professional game. "Getting the first hit out of the way, the first catch out of the way, I started getting into a groove. And then everything started rolling," he said.
His ability to make contested catches was evident on a third-quarter reception where he ran a curl route against Tennessee Titans cornerback Cor’Dale Flott. Stribling maintained possession despite immediate contact, securing a first down for the 49ers. "He’s strong. He’s attacking. He’s stepping back to [the ball]. With the contested catch situation, he’s able to come down with a lot of those," wide receivers coach Leons Hankerson had previously commented on Stribling's skills during training camp.
Stribling has been a standout in 49ers training camp, drawing praise from multiple defensive backs and coaches for the strength of his hands. The 49ers selected Stribling with the No. 33 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, a selection that was seen by some as a reach, but his early performance suggests he may be living up to the draft capital.