What makes Aiyuk so good?
Noonan introduced Aiyuk and Draysean Hudson on the first day the two receivers reported for training camp at Sierra. To this day, they remain close friends.
“You know how dudes do,” Hudson told USA TODAY Sports about their first encounter, “just play fighting and wrestling and stuff.”
From then, Hudson has had a front row to Aiyuk’s football progression. Hudson said, at first, Aiyuk relied on his raw talent, which still provided plenty of “wow” plays. The ability always existed. Refinement was necessary.
“I just feel like it needed to get cleaned up and everything like that,” Hudson said.
Noonan coaches the quarterbacks at Sierra but is a former receiver and considers himself a difficult grader of the position. Aiyuk’s body control is unique. He also has a large catch radius thanks to an 80-inch wingspan — much bigger than what a 6-foot, 200-pound frame would typically provide. And his ability to catch the ball in traffic “sets him apart.”
Following his Sierra days, Aiyuk played his junior and senior seasons at Arizona State. He was first-team All-Pac 12 as a receiver and returner in 2019.
Niners cornerback Charvarius Ward rattled off a lengthy list of why Aiyuk has become a league-wide threat.
“He got a great release. Great routes. Great at the catch point. Great blocker. Great with the ball in his hands. He can do it all, man. He can do it all,” Ward said.
Hudson said Aiyuk doesn’t become caught up in individual statistics or accomplishments. When they’re speaking, Aiyuk is constantly talking about the run game. But that speaks to what type of player Aiyuk has been for San Francisco.
“Whatever it takes to win,” Hudson said. “He understands everyone has a role on the team.”
“It’s bigger to him. I feel like he understands that. That’s how he plays. And that’s why good things happen to him, like the season he just had.”