Jarryd Hayne says ‘best is yet to come’ after 49ers team-mate Colin Kaepernick’s public welcome

JARRYD HAYNE has responded to his team-mate Colin Kaepernick’s public welcome to the team, expressing his ‘mad love’ for his new club.

Jarryd hayne, San Francisco 49ers newest recruit responds to quarterback shoutout, and heaps more.

Catch up on the latest about Aussies in the NFL in our scouting report.

JARRYD HAYNE

Over the weekend San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick confirmed reports Jarryd Hayne was attending the same Arizona training facility as many other 49ers, with a social media post that went viral online.

Hayne responded to the shoutout yesterday, using the same image.

“Mad love for the welcoming @kaepernick7 @ricardolockette @tytaylor2 @broby1 @iamswag1 @dhbviii @fonzorb29 encouraging every1 out there chasing dreams! Stay focused n don’t let discouragement get to your heart! The best is yet to come [sic],” Hayne said.

Meanwhile San Francisco fans are rallying around Hayne. Intrigued by his background in rugby league and the mystery surrounding how he will fare in the NFL, fan site Niner Noise set out to inform the 49ers faithful about the former Parramatta Eels star.

“If you though Kaepernick or Vernon Davis were athletic freaks, you have not yet discovered Jarryd Hayne,” Douglas Totten wrote.

No pressure, Jarryd.

JESSE WILLIAMS

Defensive tackle Jesse Williams was waived by Seattle earlier this month after sitting out two NFL seasons injured. Confirming reports that emerged last week, the team’s general manager has today confirmed the Aussie will return to the fold on a revised contract.

“We are going to sign him back. We put him through waivers. He’s been injured so he was getting into the third year of his contract where he was not going to have a split (contract, where he will received a reduced salary if he is on Injured Reserve) so we needed to waive him, get him through, and then do another contract in case he gets hurt again. … he’s had a number of injuries so we had to protect the club,” GM John Schneider told Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times.

Recently Williams has been spending some time back in Australia with his fiance. The couple had an engagement party in Queensland a few days ago, and announced they are expecting their first child in September.

TOM HORNSEY

Dallas punter Tom Hornsey has hit pre-season training at his home in Memphis where he had a successful Ray Guy award winning college stint.

Hornsey will be hoping the Cowboys keep him for longer than just a pre-season stint this year though.

BRAD WING

After a brief visit to Australia last month, Brad Wing is back in the US, preparing for another season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Wing had a team-hopping start to his NFL career, but seems to have found a nice home in Pittsburgh. This week he was spending time with teammates Jordan Zumwalt and Rob Blanchflower.

Wing’s major competition for the punter’s job next season has arrived in Pittsburgh. Richie Leone spent time in the Ravens training camp last year, and is brought in to challenge Wing to really earn the starting role. Reports suggest Leone’s biggest weakness is his lengthy delivery, which can be problematic in the NFL with players charging at him.

DAVID YANKEY

The debate has well and truly begun in Minnesota over whether or not Sydney-born David Yankey is ready to step up into the Vikings offensive line.

“At guard the backups are David Yankey and Jordan McCray, who failed to see the field in their rookie seasons,” Joe Oberle wrote in the Star Tribune.

“Now, perhaps the Vikings staff feels confident enough in these young players (with limited experience) to step in at a moment’s notice this season, and that is why they didn’t push harder to fill [Charlie] Johnson’s left guard spot.

“It says something that with all the injuries last season, Yankey didn’t get on the field in a game.

“The truth of the matter is, however, that the line played better during the last quarter of the season. Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater appeared to have more time to throw downfield, which is in partly attributable to his development, but the line deserves some credit, as well.”

There is plenty expected of Yankey this season. The message is clear — he needs to take his game to the next level.

David Yankey #66 of the Minnesota Vikings.

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Mat McBriar - Contract with San Diego came to an end this month. Now looking for a new team.