© Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
SANTA CLARA — Dante Pettis knew the 49ers liked him, but he didn’t know they did this much.
Pettis had read mock drafts that projected him to fall to the third round. So when his phone lit up before the 49ers selected their 44th overall pick in Friday’s 2018 NFL Draft, Pettis admits he was caught off guard.
“It was incredible,” Pettis told KNBR. “I thought I was going to go a little bit later, so I wasn’t really expecting that phone call. I saw the area code and everything, and I was like, ‘No way this is happening right now.’ So, I mean, it was insane.”
Pettis received the call alongside his family and two of his closest friends. His father, Gary, is busy managing an MLB game in Houston as the Astros third base coach. Gary was a five-time Gold Glover throughout his 11-year career. Pettis’ cousin, Austin, is the all-time leading receiver in Boise State history.
Pettis is the latest in a lineage that has produced one professional athlete after the next.
During his junior season with Washington, Pettis produced 53 catches for 822 yards and 15 touchdowns. He returned for his senior year and was asked to move all over the field, instead of solely lining up out wide, and continued to produce, though not quite as prolifically. He caught 63 passes for 761 yards and seven touchdowns last season.
His nine career punt return touchdowns with Washington are the most in NCAA history.
“I would say I am a playmaker,” Pettis said. “I think I have the capability to change the momentum of the game. That’s something I look forward to bringing to the 49ers.”
Pettis will bolster a speedy receiving corps that includes Pierre Garcon, Marquise Goodwin, Trent Taylor, Aldrick Robinson, and Kendrick Bourne. Kyle Shanahan’s newest toy seems to know a bit about his offense.
“I watch a lot of NFL so I am pretty familiar with it,” Pettis said. “And I am definitely excited to play a role in that whatever that role is. I am excited to do it and get to work.”
Pettis is relieved to stay on the West Coast after growing up in San Clemente, California.
“I’m about an hour plane ride from home, so it will be easy for my family to get to the games,” Pettis said. “It’s pretty cool to stay on the West Coast.”