San Francisco 49ers first-round pick Ricky Pearsall does not have fond memories of facing Brock Purdy

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy has a new target for 2024 and beyond.

And it turns out he and the Niners' 2024 first-round draft pick Ricky Pearsall do have some history having both grown up in Arizona.

Florida wide receiver Pearsall was born in Chandler and played his high school ball at Corona del Sol in Tempe. Purdy played at Perry high school in Gilbert having been born in Queen Creek.

As a result, the two crossed paths in high school competition, but it did not go well for Pearsall.

After being drafted by the 49ers on Thursday, Pearsall told reporters on a Zoom call: "I guess I'll be the first to admit it. We played each other. I think he put 70 on my team. 

"So, he is a hell of a player. I remember him for sure because he was in the end zone a lot and threw a lot of touchdowns. So, I'm excited to play with him this time."

Purdy, of course, has continued to pour on points at the NFL level after being drafted with the final pick of the 2022 draft, enjoying an incredible ascension that saw him finish fourth in the MVP voting and come within one play of winning the Super Bowl last season.

Now Pearsall gives another Purdy another dynamic weapon to help him excel once again in 2024. His mix of route-running polish and exceptional ability at the catch point should make him a favorite of Purdy early in his career, with the two former high school rivals potentially set to be the architects of a host of blowouts in the coming years as pros.