San Francisco 49ers legend believes Jarryd Hayne has a shot at NFL career

Australian rugby star Jarryd Hayne continues to get closer in his transition from rugby league to the NFL. After his first live practice with the San Francisco 49ers on pads and helmet at Levi’s Stadium, Hayne impressed coaches and teammates and continues to win new fans every day, including 49ers legend Ronnie Lott.

Lott, who won the 1989 Super Bowl with the 49ers, backed Hayne’s impressive campaign for a roster spot with the Niners. Lott spoke at the Hall of Fame weekend in Canton, Ohio and pointed out that there are athletes who had never played any certain positions in American football, but still made it to the NFL.

"With his (Hayne's) background in the game of rugby league, he's got a shot,” Lott said, the Queensland Times reported. "But what he needs to understand is that whatever skills he needs to improve upon, which he will, he's going to become a better football player.”

Lott is rated as the 11th best player of all time by NFL and was inducted to the league’s Hall of Fame in 2000. He led the 49ers to four Super Bowl victories in his 10 seasons at the club, playing as a left or right cornerback. The 56-year-old American also compared Hayne’s journey to Jeff Stover, who according to Lott, had never played on the defensive line before earning a roster spot with the 49ers.

Hayne received plenty of praise in San Francisco’s eighth day of training camp. The former rugby star highlighted the team’s 12-snap drill at the goal line, after barreling through a sea of defenders for what left tackle Joe Staley called a “rugby-esque” touchdown. The 27-year-old Aussie also earned compliments from coaches and staff at the early stages of the training camp when he showed his speed and natural skills that could potentially give him an NRL career with the 49ers.

Meanwhile, former Australian rugby league player Colin Scott, who initially doubted Hayne’s NFL career attempt, has backed his compatriot to make the 49ers’ 53-man squad. After watching Hayne’s awe-inspiring touchdown, Scott claimed that the 49ers hopeful is showing the kind of qualities San Francisco coaches would love, reports The Daily Telegraph.

“No one knew how he was going to go. I was sceptical too but I think Jarryd is a lot closer to making the 53-man now than he was a couple of months ago,” Scott said.

San Francisco’s final roster cut is scheduled in early September. The team will resume the final four days of camp on Tuesday before the team plays Houston Texans on Aug. 15 for an exhibition game.

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