Australian rugby-league star Jarryd Hayne, six months after making a self-described “massive leap of faith” to sign with the 49ers,” made it onto their 53-man roster Saturday.
Best suited as a return specialist, Hayne emerged as the 49ers most multi-talented asset through the exhibition season.
There was no grand ceremony to announce Hayne’s – or any of his other 52 teammates’ — survival of final cuts. Instead, Hayne broke the news before the team even released a press release listing players cut from the roster.
AdvertisementHayne posted on Twitter: “IT ALWAYS WORKS OUT! I thank GOD for WHAT HE has done and going to do on this incredible journey!! I’m on the 53 MAN ROSTER FOR THE #49ers.”
Hayne’s play-making skills became must-see TV in the NFL’s often-unsightly preseason, and his exploits reminded his native Australians what established him as a long-time star for the National Rugby League’s Parrammatta Eels, as well as for New South Wales in last year’s conquest of the country’s Origin series.
Hayne, 27, grew up in the Sydney suburb of Minto, and he also has Fijian heritage through his father, Manao Thompson. Hayne’s mother, Jodie, watched Thursday’s exhibition finale in the Levi’s Stadium stands with his sisters and uncle.
Hayne burst out of the gate with a 53-yard run in his 49erers exhibition debut at Houston, and he finished the preseason 175 rushing yards overall, ranking him first on the 49ers and second in the NFL. His average of 7.0 yards per carry led the league, and no other running back fared better than Hayne’s average of 4.84 yards after contact, according to ProFootballFocus.com.
Learning how to play running back – staying low, fulfilling blocking assignments — has been Hayne’s greatest challenge since offseason workouts began in April. His natural ability to flourish in the open field, however, consistently showed as he also worked as a punt returner, kickoff returner, receiver and even gunner on special teams.
Hayne cleanly fielded all 10 punts that came his way, averaging 18.1 yards per return and only once calling for a fair catch — under orders from his coaches in Thursday’s exhibition finale.
Adding to his instant success was a 33-yard kickoff return, a tackle for a 1-yard loss on punt coverage and three receptions for 33 yards, including a catch-and-run Thursday that ended with Hayne leveling San Diego Chargers cornerback Lowell Rose in front of an ecstatic 49ers bench.
Eleven months ago, Hayne announced he was leaving Australia to pursue a NFL career, and it wouldn’t be until a month ago where he suited up in helmet and shoulder pads for his first contact drills.
“It’s always been a dream of mine to play in the NFL, and at my age, this is my one and only chance at having a crack at playing there,” Hayne said when he left the Eels, shortly after claiming his second Daily M Medal since debuting with that NRL squad in 2006 at age 18.
