Was Jauan Jennings ever a quarterback? 49ers WR connects with Christian McCaffrey on 'Philly special' trick play vs. Eagles

Dan Treacy

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Was Jauan Jennings ever a quarterback? 49ers WR connects with Christian McCaffrey on 'Philly special' trick play vs. Eagles image

Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

With George Kittle out for the remainder of the game and the offense stalled, the San Francisco 49ers had to get creative against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Kyle Shanahan dialed up a beauty of a play in the third quarter, with WR Jauan Jennings throwing a touchdown pass to Christian McCaffrey to give the 49ers the lead.

49ers fans -- and Kansas City Chiefs fans -- remember that connection well. Jennings previously hit McCaffrey for a touchdown in Super Bowl 58. The design of the play was eerily similar to the famed trick play that helped their opponent win Super Bowl LII in 2018.

Here's a look at the trick play and Jennings' history as a quarterback.

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Jauan Jennings TD pass to Christian McCaffrey

Shanahan dug deep into his playbook on first-and-10 with the 49ers in field goal range. Brock Purdy handed off to Skyy Moore, who tossed it backwards to Jennings, only for Jennings to run to his right and find a wide-open McCaffrey for the go-ahead touchdown.

The play instantly breathed life into a 49ers offense that hadn't scored since the first half and hadn't scored a touchdown since the opening drive of the game.

Here's a closer look at why a pass from Jennings might have been no surprise for those who know his background.

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Was Jauan Jennings ever a quarterback?

Jennings committed to Tennessee as a quarterback in the class of 2015, after playing the position at Blackman High School in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He actually ranked ahead of Sam Darnold, Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow in his class, according to 247 Sports.

Jennings was converted into a wide receiver under Butch Jones with the Volunteers, a decision that ultimately helped him become an NFL Draft pick and eventually a standout piece of the 49ers' offense. Shanahan knows Jennings, strengths, however, and the receiver has two playoff touchdown passes to his name despite never attempting a pass in the regular season.

The first touchdown pass of Jennings' playoff career came in Super Bowl 58, when he threw a dangerous pass across the field to McCaffrey, who ran it in for a touchdown to extend the 49ers' lead over the Chiefs.

Jennings also had a receiving touchdown in the game, but San Francisco would lose in overtime.

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