Media hype following Hayne’s NFL debut could play role in success at 49ers

QUICKLY becoming an internet sensation, Jarryd Hayne may be building a case that will force the 49ers hand and secure him a spot on the roster.

Jarryd Hayne’s 53-yard dash in his NFL debut got US media buzzing about the exciting Australian prospect.

JARRYD Hayne’s recent rise to fame in the US came off the back of an impressive first hit-out during a preseason game with the San Francisco 49ers last week.

The Aussie attracted the attention of diehard NFL fans and select US media upon his arrival at the 49ers franchise, however it wasn’t until his debut that the hype around the Hayne Plane really began to lift.

Hayne’s 53-yard dash against the Houston Texans sent the media into a frenzy, as Australian press hailed him the next NFL superstar, while America really started to take notice of the Aussie making waves so early in his NFL career.

And it seems this hype may play a major role in deciding whether or not Hayne is successful in making the 49ers 53-man roster, according to ESPN radio host Joe Fortenbaugh.

Fortenbaugh spoke with Triple M’s Dead Set Legends on Saturday morning, and said the former NRL star has got the eyes of 49ers fans heavily fixated on him.

“Most fans took slight note of when Jarryd Hayne signed with the team but there have been other rugby league players who have come over to play in the NFL and it hasn’t necessarily worked out,” Fortenbaugh said.

“People looked at it a bit curiously but they weren’t sure what they were going to make of it until they actually saw him on the field, and my goodness after that first performance on the field, now you’ve got a lot of fans taking note of who Jarryd Hayne is.

“They’re looking at his background, they’re watching the YouTube clips from what he did in Australia, and they are very excited to see him Sunday afternoon against the Dallas Cowboys.”

The significant amount of media attention Hayne has received since his NFL pre-season debut is expected to play a contributing role in finding him a spot on the 49ers roster.

When questioned as to whether Hayne would make the roster, the ESPN host was confident that the the media hype that surrounded Hayne’s transition to the NFL in comparison to other rookies would play a significant role in securing him a spot on the 49ers roster.

“It’s going to be very close — a 53-man roster is ultra competitive. The biggest thing that is going to help Jarryd Hayne is he signed a contract with a guaranteed $100,000.

“A lot of the time when it comes to rookies, guys in the fifth, sixth or seventh round, they don’t make a whole lot of money and it is easier to cut them from the team. Jarryd is making a little bit more money, so that is going to make the front office pause a little bit in terms of whether or not they would want him on the roster.

“In addition to that, they aren’t going to want to make a big spectacle of this in that they went out and signed this tremendous rugby league player, got a lot of press for it here in America and then he didn’t even make the team — that would look bad for the front office,” Fortenbaugh said.

“If Jarryd continues to build on what he did in the first game of the pre-season, yes I do think he will find a way onto the roster based on those few factors.”

Speaking from San Francisco, the radio host said Hayne will need to prove himself against the best the NFL has to offer before he is considered a real possibility to make the grade.

“These upcoming games will be the key. He had a nice pre-season game but remember that was coming up against second and third teamers. If he gets some action against the starters, that will be the key to see how he performs,” Fortenbaugh said.

Hayne will need to focus on finding a spot on a special team if he hopes to keep his NFL dream alive.

With the 49ers already heavily bolstered in the running back position, Hayne is likely to be fourth or fifth string if he wants to make it as a position specialist. Fortenbaugh said his best chances at finding spot on the full roster would come if he applied his skills to the special teams, as he displayed in the trial against Houston.

“In terms of the depth chart at the running back position, yes it is very crowded and it is going to be difficult for Jarryd Hayne to find time. But that doesn’t mean he can’t make the team with another avenue and that means him making plays on special teams like we saw in week one,” he said.

“Two punt returns that averaged 12 yards, a kick return that he came out 7 yards deep in the end zone and went about 33 yards on the return — that is where Jarryd Hayne is going to perform at his best if he is going to make the 49ers roster.

“Start there and if he can perform well in those areas, he will get more of a chance at running back.”