SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- As though more evidence of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo's burgeoning popularity was needed, there's this:

On Thursday, the NFLPA released its annual top-50 player sales list for the year spanning March 1, 2017 to Feb. 28, 2018. The list accounts for total player sales on all licensed products via online and traditional retail outlets from more than 70 NFLPA licensees, such as Nike, Fanatics, Fathead and more.

While many of the usual suspects dotted the list, Garoppolo checked in at No. 28. At first glance, that ranking might not raise any eyebrows, but it's worth considering how fast Garoppolo surged up the rankings.

While the NFLPA doesn't have the data to offer specific numbers for sales of licensed merchandise, it does release the top sellers on a quarterly basis. For the first three quarters of the past year (March 1, 2017 to Nov. 30, 2017), Garoppolo was nowhere near the top-50 list. Garoppolo, who spent most of the sales year as the New England Patriots backup quarterback, was traded to the Niners on Oct. 31, 2017 and became the starter in the week leading up to the Dec. 3 game against the Chicago Bears.

By the end of February, Garoppolo merchandise had sold enough in the span of roughly three months to not only jump into the top 50 but surpass established stars such as Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan (No. 34), Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (No. 35) and Arizona receiver Larry Fitzgerald (No. 39), all of whom had a full year with the same team to move merchandise.

Only Philadelphia running back Jay Ajayi, who checked in at No. 45, also changed teams during the season and still appeared on the list. Unlike Garoppolo, though, Ajayi was considered one of the top players on his previous team in Miami.

Garoppolo's appearance on the list should probably come as no surprise, considering how quickly he helped the Niners improve and the instant connection he had to a fanbase that had been starving for a franchise quarterback. Garoppolo led the 49ers to a 5-0 finish, including wins agains playoff teams like the Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars.

Garoppolo started just two games at home in those final five, but the 49ers struggled to keep his jersey in stock. By Dec. 20, Garoppolo's jersey was sold out at the Levi's Stadium team store. The Niners ordered more, all of which sold out by the holidays. In terms of just jersey sales, Garoppolo ranked No. 25 for the 2017 season, again with most of that coming in the final two months of the season.

Suffice to say, if Garoppolo can continue to perform at a high level and lead the Niners to more victories in 2018, his spot on these lists will only continue to rise.