Jarryd Hayne NFL: Aussie believes he will be 49ers’ running back next season

Jarryd Hayne believes he has a chance to be one of the San Francisco 49ers’ running backs next season based on Chip Kelly’s “complex playbooks.”

Hayne is set to return to the United States to join the 49ers in an offseason training, where the Australian rugby league star will meet Kelly for the first time. The 28-year-old Aussie said he is “excited” to start some offseason workouts in San Francisco, believing that Kelly’s system would get him a spot at the running back position.

“It’s obviously a very unique and complex playbook, Chip Kelly’s playbook, so just getting head down and working hard on that,” Hayne told Fox Sports. “I definitely think I’ll be back at running back and training there. I haven’t spoken to the coaches or anything like that. It’s just getting back there, learn the playbook and whatever happens, happens.”

However, Hayne could have stiff competition for the running back spot, with the 49ers’ top RB Carlos Hyde seems to have fully recovered from foot surgery that forced him to miss the latter part of San Francisco’s campaign last season.

Hyde finished the season playing in just seven games, where he recorded a total of 470 yards and three touchdowns on 115 rushing attempts. According to Sacramento Bee writer Matt Barrows, Hyde could play a major role in Kelly’s run-heavy offense if the 24-year-old running back could avoid injuries.

Bruce Ellington could also be in play as Kelly’s “quasi running back-wide receiver,” having been positioned at times as the 49ers’ running back in previous seasons. Ellington, who only averaged 7.2 yards on 9 punt returns last season, may also have a larger role with the 49ers, with Kelly being intrigued on the South Carolina products’ abilities.

“When you look at just the short time that I’ve seen just film of him you’re like ‘Wow.’ That kid can do some interesting things,” Kelly said, reports CSN Bay Area. “And it’s our job to figure out how we can use that to benefit us to help us win games.”

Hayne had gained a significant amount of experience from his rookie season with the 49ers, but the Australian rugby league star is still considered raw in playing American football compared to Ellington and Hyde. However, there is still a chance “Hayne Plane” takes off in San Francisco if Hayne impresses Kelly in the team’s offseason training.