Ricky Pearsall didn't just appear out of thin air when the San Francisco 49ers called his name in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. If you've ever seen him snag a ball one-handed or burn a cornerback on a post route, you might wonder where that level of polish actually comes from.
He’s a desert kid. Basically, when people ask where is Ricky Pearsall from, the short answer is Phoenix, Arizona. But the long answer is a lot more interesting than just a dot on a map. It’s a story of a local legend who stayed home until he couldn't, a kid who learned to catch with Skittles, and an athlete who broke records that stood for years in the Arizona heat.
The Arizona Upbringing: Tempe and Chandler
Ricky Pearsall was born on September 9, 2000, in Phoenix. He grew up primarily in the Chandler and Tempe areas, which are basically the heart of Arizona’s football country.
It wasn't just a casual hobby for him. His dad, Rick Pearsall Sr., played wide receiver at Northern Arizona University back in the 90s. The football DNA was there from the jump. Honestly, the most famous story about his early days is the Skittles drill. His dad would toss him a ball, and if Ricky caught it with his hands—no "body catching" allowed—he earned a Skittle. If he dropped it or trapped it against his chest? No candy.
You can still see that training today. He’s got some of the most reliable hands in the league.
High School Stardom at Corona del Sol
While he was raised in Chandler, he went to high school at Corona del Sol in Tempe. This is where he really became a "thing" in the scouting world.
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He wasn't just good; he was record-breaking. In 2017, during his junior year, he absolutely torched Gilbert High School for 342 receiving yards in a single game. That set a new Arizona 6A state record. He finished that season with over 1,100 yards and 15 touchdowns.
What’s crazy is that he wasn't just a receiver. He played safety, too. He was a ball-hawk with four interceptions during his varsity career. People in Tempe knew him as a three-star recruit who could basically do everything on the field, including returning kicks for nearly 800 yards his senior year.
Where is Ricky Pearsall From College-Wise?
This is where the "hometown hero" narrative gets a bit more complex.
Ricky stayed home initially. He committed to Arizona State University (ASU) in 2019. It made sense—the campus was literally seven miles away from his high school. He wanted his family at every game. For three seasons, he was a Sun Devil. He played behind guys like Brandon Aiyuk (who he eventually joined in San Francisco) and Frank Darby.
By 2021, he was the guy. He led ASU with 580 yards and 4 touchdowns. But then, the transfer portal beckoned.
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The Florida Chapter
In 2022, Ricky made a massive move. He left the desert for the swamp, transferring to the University of Florida.
Why? He wanted to prove he could do it in the SEC.
It worked. Over two seasons in Gainesville, he put up over 1,600 yards. He became a viral sensation for "The Catch" against Charlotte—a one-handed, leaping grab through two defenders that looked like something out of a video game. When people ask where Ricky Pearsall is from, Florida fans will claim him just as loudly as the Arizona crowd does.
Breaking Down the "Local Boy" Myth
There’s a misconception that Ricky was always a lock for the NFL because of his dad. Honestly, he was a three-star recruit. He wasn't some five-star phenom that every school in the country was begging for. He had offers from Air Force, Hawaii, and Northern Arizona.
He had to grind.
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He's a product of the Arizona youth system, specifically the "Opening Regionals" where he posted a Nike Football Plus rating of 113.43—ranking him 16th among all receivers nationally for athleticism. He’s always been an elite athlete; it just took the rest of the world a minute to realize it.
Why His Origins Matter Now
Knowing where Ricky Pearsall is from helps explain his resilience. In 2024, just before his rookie season started, he was shot in the chest during an attempted robbery in San Francisco.
Most people would be out for the year. Ricky was back on the field in weeks.
That toughness? That’s Chandler. That’s Tempe. It’s that "hometown hero" chip on the shoulder from being a three-star kid who had to fight for every rep at ASU and then go across the country to Florida to prove the scouts wrong.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts:
- Watch the Hands: If you're scouting him for fantasy or just watching the Niners, look at his hand placement. The "Skittles drill" legacy is real; he rarely uses his body to secure a catch.
- Route Running Nuance: Because he played safety in high school at Corona del Sol, he understands defensive leverages better than your average wideout.
- The ASU-SF Connection: Keep an eye on his chemistry with Brandon Aiyuk. They were teammates at Arizona State in 2019, which is a rare level of continuity for an NFL WR duo.
Ricky Pearsall is a Phoenix native through and through, but his journey from the 6A Arizona records to the SEC and finally to Levi’s Stadium shows he’s much more than just a local kid who stayed home. He’s a technician who used every stop on his map to build a first-round pedigree.