Pittsburgh — Ole Miss wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling was the first Rebel selected in the 2026 NFL Draft. The 49ers picked him 33rd overall in the second round Friday night, according to sources.
Stribling is the highest-drafted Ole Miss wide receiver since Laquon Treadwell went 23rd overall to the Minnesota Vikings in 2016. This marks the second straight season that the 49ers have drafted an Ole Miss wideout, following Jordan Watkins in the fifth round in 2025.
He is also the highest-drafted Rebel by the 49ers since Hall of Famer Patrick Willis was selected 11th overall in 2007. Stribling is the eighth Ole Miss receiver drafted in the first two rounds since 2010, joining notable players such as A.J. Brown and D.K. Metcalf.
Stribling, a Kapolei, Hawaii native, played one season at Ole Miss in 2025. He contributed to the Rebels’ historic run to the College Football Playoff semifinals, finishing the year with 55 receptions for 811 yards and six touchdowns.
He made a highlight-reel catch in the Sugar Bowl, a 40-yard fingertip reception that helped set up the game-winning field goal. Stribling also impressed at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, running the 40-yard dash in 4.36 seconds and posting a broad jump of 10-7.
Across his five college seasons at Washington State, Oklahoma State and Ole Miss, Stribling totaled 2,964 yards receiving on 216 catches and 23 touchdowns, according to reports.
