Brandon Aiyuk is excited to know where he is finally headed. The former Arizona State wide receiver was the second of two first-round picks by the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday.
Aiyuk had a significant amount of contact with the 49ers during the pre-draft process, the receiver said Monday on 95.7 The Game. Of course, none of that was face-to-face, due to the coronavirus pandemic. He and receivers coach Wes Welker would talk often, so Aiyuk knew San Francisco was very interested.
"I had a good feeling," he told Damon Bruce and Ray Ratto.
Aiyuk has been recovering from the core-muscle surgery he underwent in early April. He figured he might as well deal with it now since offseason programs are up in the air right now.
It turns out, the 49ers were a significant influence in his decision to undergo surgery earlier this month.
"And then, ultimately, when I got the core surgery, they were a big part in that decision," Aiyuk continued.
That showed the receiver that the interest from the 49ers, who ended up selecting him No. 25 overall after trading up six spots in the first round, was genuine.
For now, Aiyuk is studying his new NFL playbook, and awaiting the all-clear to join his new teammates in Santa Clara.
"I'm excited to be a Forty-Niner," added Aiyuk, "and I'm glad that, ultimately, I'm headed to San Francisco."
You can listen to the entire conversation with Aiyuk below.