Brandon Aiyuk's journey: From junior college in Rocklin to the Super Bowl
San Francisco fans are hoping Brandon Aiyuk has a big game on Sunday. The wide receiver is a big weapon on offense and has been since his days in college.
Long before Aiyuk became a 49er he left his mark at Sierra College in Rocklin.
"He just made plays every day in practice," said Sierra College Football Coach Ben Noonan."He never missed or was late to a single day of practice in two years."
Noonan said the wide receiver from Reno was oozing with unrefined talent.
"He was a frail skinny kid,” Noonan said. “He had the real broad shoulders and the long arms, but no development. I don't think he was thinking right away that was going to big time. It was a gradual process and growth.”
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Aiyuk left Sierra for Arizona State. He'd end up being drafted in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft by San Francisco.
"When they moved up a few spots in the draft I turned to my son and I said they are going to pick Brandon,” Noonan added. "When they drafted him, I just leaped off the couch. We were going crazy."
Going crazy because even a college football coach has a favorite NFL team.
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"I haven't missed a 49er game since I was young," Noonan laughed.
For Noonan, it is the best of both worlds.
"I'll be watching 49er games no matter what, but when Brandon's playing for them it's just an added bonus,” Noonan said. “I'm dialed in every snap and every play of Sundays.”