Ole Miss WR De’Zhaun Stribling drafted by 49ers to open Round 2
By David Wasson
Published:
It didn’t take long for the SEC to represent on Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft, as former Ole Miss wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling was selected by the San Francisco 49ers with the first pick of the second round.
The 49ers reportedly fielded calls throughout the day for the pick before deciding to keep it and select Stribling – a 6-foot-2, 207-pounder with excellent downfield speed.
Stribling spent only one season in Oxford after stints at Oklahoma State from 2023-24 and Washington State from 2021-22. He hauled in 55 receptions for 811 yards and six touchdowns in 2025 along with playing on special teams.
In all, Stribling closes his collegiate career with 216 receptions for 2,964 yards and 23 touchdowns.
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With 4.36 40-yard dash speed, the 49ers are counting on Stribling’s deep-ball capability to accent existing talent like future Hall of Famer Mike Evans and former first-rounder Ricky Pearsall. Stribling also showed the ability to mix it up blocking in the run game at Ole Miss, Oklahoma State and Washington State – something San Francisco loves when considering the talent of running back Christian McCaffrey.
Stribling is the first Rebel to come off the board in the 2026 NFL Draft. Ole Miss sported eight drafted players in the 2025 draft, including first-rounders Walter Nolen and Jaxson Dart.
An APSE national award-winning writer and editor, David Wasson has almost four decades of experience in the print journalism business in Florida and Alabama. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and several national magazines and websites. His Twitter handle: @JustDWasson.
