Jarryd Hayne, the former National Rugby League star turned 49ers punt returner and swing back, wants to return to the NFL.
"I like being out wide like a wide receiver. Running back's also very enjoyable as well," he said, via ESPN.com. "I think for me, it's just about being versatile and playing anywhere they put me."
Hayne said that he doesn't want to quit without scoring a touchdown in the NFL -- something that nearly came to fruition a few times last season.
"I got close twice this year. I was devastated," he said.
Hayne added: "It was actually a route that I ran that if I had run it a bit different, I would've scored against Detroit. I come close, and then obviously that one against the Giants as well.
"Definitely next year, it has to be done. It has to be done."
While there is no word on whether or not the 49ers will bring Hayne back under new head coach Chip Kelly, it sounds like Hayne has a future in athletics, regardless. At just 27, there are plenty of articles linking him to a NRL return if the NFL doesn't work out, including to his beloved Parramatta Eels. The Sydney Roosters have been hot on his tracks, according to one AAP piece that appeared on ESPN.com.
Hayne ran the ball 17 times for 52 yards last season, with a long of 11. He also returned eight punts for 76 yards.
If the Hayne era ends, there will be plenty of NFL lifers nodding their heads and talking about the athletic superiority it takes to play in the league. And while this is true -- and Hayne mentioned how rattled he was by a few hits -- he's probably come closer to bridging the gap than any non-punting rugby convert yet. Yes, there is an athletic superiority required to play in the NFL, but imagine the skill set it takes to learn an entirely new game at the same time.
