Nov 27, 2021; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (19) celebrates scoring a touchdown during the second half against the Arizona Wildcats at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Former Arizona State WR Hosts Local Football Camp

Originally posted on Arizona State Sun Devils on SI
By Kevin Hicks | Last updated Jun 20, 2025 1:00 PM ET

The Arizona State Sun Devil football program is largely looking to put the last 10 years behind them following an unfortunate end to the Todd Graham era and a disastrous tenure of Herm Edwards as head coach.

Kenny Dillingham has pulled the program out of near-purgatory status and the future is bright in Tempe - but there are still players from the past eras that are worthy of discussing.

Among them is Ricky Pearsall.

Pearsall was part of the 2019 Arizona State recruiting class as a wide receiver out of Corona Del Sol high school in Tempe.

An unheralded recruit - Pearsall struggled to find playing time over his first two seasons with the program - securing only 13 catches in those years while sitting behind more seasoned vets such as Brandon Aiyuk and Frank Darby.

Pearsall received his shot in the 2021 season - finding a solid connection with Jayden Daniels to the tune of 48 catches for 580 yards.

An unfortunate string of recruiting violations that resulted in a widespread NCAA investigation and poor coaching hires resulted in Pearsall opting to transfer out to Florida.

The decision Pearsall made couldn't have worked out better - he became a first round pick in last April's NFL draft by the San Fransisco 49ers.

Ricky Pearsall back at his alma mater in Tempe, putting on a free kids football camp.

Enters to chants of “Ricky, Ricky,” and from some of the younger ones, “Reggie, Reggie.” pic.twitter.com/X0aMnesl1a
— Nick King (@NickKingSports) June 19, 2025

Pearsall was reunited with Sun Devil teammate Aiyuk and enjoyed a relatively successful rookie season that he is looking to build off of going into 2025.

The local prodigy hasn't forgotten where he came from despite all of the recent success over the last three years - he held a free youth camp at his alma matter of Corona Del Sol on June 18.

While Pearsall isn't officially listed as a member of the program, he is still carrying out the culture that Dillingham has gone out of his way to instill in Tempe - the wide receiver is being selfless, service-oriented, and a guide for the next generation.

Read more about incoming transfer wide receiver Jaren Hamilton seeking his moment in Tempe after playing sparingly with Alabama a season below from our own Greg Liodice here, and tight ends coach Jason Mohns speaking about the culture that Dillingham has continued to stress ever since taking the head coaching post in 2022 here.

Please let us know your thoughts on Pearsall giving back to the Tempe community when you like our Facebook page when you click right here.

This article first appeared on Arizona State Sun Devils on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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