San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch, head coach Kyle Shanahan, and several of the team's newly drafted players spoke to reporters on Saturday. Here is everything they said.
Transcripts provided by the San Francisco 49ers Communications staff.
General Manager John Lynch and Head Coach Kyle Shanahan
Let's start at the top. As far as DL C.J. West and DL Alfred Collins, how do you see those two guys working together?
President of Football Operations and General Manager John Lynch: "Yeah, just adding another guy to the mix in C.J. We had some departures this offseason and we felt it was important to restock. Not just with guys. We wanted to put guys that fit our vision for what we want that room to be. And we've talked about Alfred. C.J. is the same way. C.J., I think, if we're talking about him, extremely stout, sturdy, but also has the quickness and strength to play in the other team's backfield. Makes a lot of splash plays in the other team's backfield. I had the chance to watch him live this year when we went back to Ohio State. Indiana was there and made an impression in that game. But more so his film, his body of work has really stood out and we just felt like was a really good fit. Another add to the D-Line we're building."
Defensive line coach Kris Kocurek was always fond of Denver Broncos DL D.J. Jones. Was there any comparisons from him between West and Jones?
JL: "He actually said that in his report in our draft meetings. I was just looking at my notes again and Kris said, 'D.J. Jones comp.' And so, I think there are a lot of similarities and that's a good thing for us."
While you were back there, you also saw QB Kurtis Rourke play.
JL: "Yes. Saw Rourke and he's a, [head coach] Kyle [Shanahan] can talk about Rourke more, but a guy that we really liked and I think really displayed his toughness. Played a lot of the year on a partially torn ACL. It was a previous ACL that was done in '22 and kind of a re-tear, but toughed it out and played through it, had surgery after the season. So, we took him with the understanding that he's not going to likely be cleared until training camp. But we just felt like there was a lot of talent, a lot of ability. The guy plays the game the right way. You can't have enough good quarterbacks and wanted to add him to the mix and we were able to do it in the seventh round and excited to do so."
What do you see from him? Why is he a good fit for your system?
Head Coach Kyle Shanahan: "Just loved his size, loved how he throws, loved how he plays the position. Especially watching him this year, I don't think it was a coincidence how good of a year they had with the type of quarterback they had. Know he did it the whole year with a, he had a broken finger, a torn ACL and still was really, really impressive. And we're in a situation where getting a guy with a torn ACL and he probably won't be cleared by training camp, but it'll be close. It's not an issue for us right now. But obviously, with [QB] Brock [Purdy] and [QB] Mac [Jones] and love [QB] Tanner [Mordecai] too, so I thought it was just a very good valuable pick for us, for a guy who might not be ready for another year, because I think he's about seven-months out because he got it done after the season. But we're in a situation where we could take him and I think he would've gone a lot higher if he was healthy."
What did you see from WR Jordan Watkins? He already was told that it's going be tough for him to get on the field, that he's going to have a lot of work to do, but what did you see from him?
KS: "Love his speed. First thing you notice when you see a guy for the first time, you look at his 40 time, then you watch his routes at the Combine. I thought he was one of the better route runners at the Combine, just with natural receiver skills and everything. You watch his hands, he was our best graded-out guy going through the gauntlet and stuff with just true natural hands. Watched his one-on-ones at the Senior Bowl and then to how he played at Ole Miss, talking to [Mississippi head coach] Lane [Kiffin], the whole package. We love the guy. Think he's got a great skillset and needed to add him to the group."
Did you like his mentality and the fact that he understands that he's going to have to work to earn a starting position?
KS: "Yeah, hopefully everyone is like that. Everyone is going to have to work to make our team, first of all. And we're down numbers with losing [Washington Commanders WR] Deebo [Samuel Sr.] and with [WR Bradon Aiyuk] B.A., might not be ready right away, we'll see how that goes. But we wanted to add a receiver in this draft. We didn't know where it would be and glad we got him."
You guys obviously had a lot of things to do, but did you want to add an offensive-line earlier or did you know that was kind of have to kind of take a back seat with some of the other things that you needed to do first?
JL: "Yeah, we were able to do that in the seventh round with [OL] Connor Colby. But yeah, there were a number of times that we were interested in adding and it just didn't come our way. And you've got to stay true to where you have guys graded, not take guys just to take them but to take guys that you're interested in at that point. And it just never really aligned. And so, we were happy to add Colby. We think he's a really good scheme fit. Great thing about Iowa is they run a very similar, they run a lot of outside zones, so you get to see a guy like him do things that we do and he does them well. So, we're happy to add that. But there were a number of times Kyle and I were talking about that at the end that just didn't align, one of those deals and you don't want to force things. And so, it wasn't our time for that other than Connor and we'll move forward."
Do you see the possibility of testing him outside or him sticking inside?
JL: "Yeah, he's a guard. He's a guard, yeah."
What about RB Jordan James and just his ability to get in the end zone repeatedly?
JL: "Yeah, we're fired up on Jordan. This was a really strong running back class. There was a lot of depth to it. I think the fact that Jordan James was there when we took him in the fifth, I think there was a feeling amongst teams that it was such a deep class, we can wait. And there was a group of guys and we had him a certain grade and we were pleased that he was still there. And a powerful back. Runs through tackles, has not necessarily tremendous top-end speed, but he's got dart and burst. We think there are some things that will come alive in the way we play that fit our system. I think one thing going up to the Pro Day, [Cleveland Browns QB Dillon] Gabriel, the quarterback, was thrown and he was one of the guys catching a lot of the routes. It showed me, he has very natural hands. I think, a lot, that Jordan James brings to the table. Very physical runner, leaves defenders hurting and that's pretty cool."
You got football personnel advisor Frank Gore's blessing too?
JL: "After we picked, [CEO] Jed [York] asked, Frank was in there, he said, 'What do you think?' And Frank liked him, so that's awesome."
You obviously track comp picks and that whole formula, I know it can sometimes not go your way, but that's something you guys track pretty diligently. In that window, I think it's the next few days, closes and it's not factored in, would you expect to maybe add somebody who would've factored into that formula?
JL:"After the Draft, they don't affect it, so we'll see. We're always looking to improve our team. I think it's a good point for players that are free agents to assess, 'Okay, here's a team that, look at what they did in drafts.' And then also for teams to look back and say, 'Okay, we took our full complement of 11 players. Where do we still have a need to, or a want to get a little better or to change your roster up a little? So, we'll see here in the next week. Going to go have a nice Draft party right now. Enjoy a good weekend. And it's just the culmination of a lot of hard work and proud of our group. I think we got, I know we got better this weekend."
What is the plan at Swing Tackle?
KS: "We don't tell you all our plans, so we'll see."
Okay, how about this? Seems like OL Austen Pleasants or OL Spencer Burford, are those your top two options on the current roster?
KS: "Yeah, I would say so. We haven't even gone out with our players yet, but we had those guys at the end of last year and they're both tackles. Spencer's been a guard for us, but he could play swing tackle and started a lot of games for us at guard, but definitely has ability to play tackle. We got Austen at the end of last year, who closed out the season when we had some injuries. I believe it was two games at tackle, did a decent job. There are usually other options too, as the season goes or all the way up until season, there are options usually after cuts at the end of training camp. So, we'll see what our opening day roster is, but we've got a lot of competition for there. And but it's definitely not solidified yet."
This is for either one of you, the national story was Cleveland Browns QB Shedeur Sanders and how he fell. Did it ever become a conversation in the draft room about what if he is there and continues to be there later?
JL: "We're up there for, this was a long weekend it felt. Maybe it's 11 picks. It felt like this was long. I don't know if you guys felt like that. So, there's a lot of time and we're all doing our work, but then you're sitting up there and this was a story that kind of was prevalent. I think more than anything, just empathy, that's tough for a young man. But I know that he's a competitor. I know that he's got his opportunity now and I think we tell people all the time, it's not when you go, it's not where you go, it's what you do with that opportunity. He's got that opportunity in Cleveland and I'm excited for him. I remember seeing him down at Jackson State, his true freshman year, and really enjoying getting to know the kid. A lot of things are said about him, but now he gets to go prove that he's worthy of that pick by the Browns and we wish him nothing but the best."
What do you like about the safety you took around five?
JL: "[S Marques] Sigle. He's awesome. We love guys who can first of all, he's a bow-legged safety and like I told him, he can't go wrong with the bow-legged safety. So, he's played nickel. He's a guy who can really run. I never knew watching him on the field. I knew he was fast. I didn't see 4.32, and this guy, that is a blazing time, got a lot of versatility to his game. He's a good tackler. He eats up. We talk a lot, a term we use, is taking the grass and this is a guy who takes the grass. He takes the fight to the ball carrier to the receiver. I think he's going to be a really good fit for us."
WR Junior Bergen's return numbers are pretty spectacular. What stood out about him at that aspect of his game?
JL: "Well, really our special teams guys they both have some Montana roots and I think this guy's kind of become this sensation. And they kept talking about [special teams coordinator] Brant [Boyer] and [assistant special teams coach] Colt Anderson kept talking about this kid from Montana and really selling him to us. And they did a really good job. And ultimately at the end it's like, are we going to have a chance at free agency if we don't draft them? Is someone else going to draft them right at the end? And so ultimately, I do think and believe that there's added value in returners with the adjustment to the kickoff and the touchbacks coming all the way out to the 35. Probably people are going to be less inclined to just kick it through the endzone, more return opportunities. So, to have a dynamic returner is probably a good thing. And he'll go in there and compete and he's done it really well at the smaller college level. And now he's going to get an opportunity to do it with us."
You said after day two that you felt you could really take a deep breath for the first time since free agency, you could actually get into that mode on the other end of this long weekend. Where's your feeling at with the acquisitions you guys made and all the needs you addressed throughout the process?
KS: "It feels real good. I said that because just the number of people that we lost, we hadn't lost that big of a group in terms of numbers. So, we knew we had to add a lot of people. And fortunately, we had 11 draft picks and it's very rare you use all 11 draft picks. But we needed to because we needed that many numbers and to actually find 11 guys that we believe all have a chance to make the team, all have big roles. They got to come in and compete and obviously earn it, but it was a very important draft. We haven't really been in a situation like this and that's why it was a little bit more nerve wracking because we were counting on getting a lot of guys instead of just coming in there trying to add depth and stuff and look for two to three really. Each one felt just as important as the next one."
Last time you guys started a draft with five defensive players, was '81 and that includes former DB Ronnie Lott and DB Carlton Williamson. Does that sound like good vibes? Will this also be one of the best drafts in franchise?
JL: "Totally a dream. That'd be awesome. That'd be awesome. We hear about that often. I used to hear about that at Stanford with [former 49ers head] Coach [Bill] Walsh used to talk about that a lot. And that draft was obviously very good to this organization then. And we can only pray that this one is as good. And I just love these players. And like I said, I know we got better. These guys are going to have opportunity and it's really an exciting time."
Do you plan to sign six undrafted guys? Is that the number you're targeting?
JL: "Give or take. So, we'll see. I always get nervous when I'm down here when those guys are up there because you never know what's going on, but they're working hard, try to complete and we've got so many success stories over the years of free agents. So, it's really important that we continue right through the end of this thing. And the guys are up there right now doing that."
Sounds like you got another running back?
JL: "Really? Good. Yeah, I knew that."
The two receivers WR James Watkins and WR Junior Bergen are they slot guys or do they have first ability to play outside as well?
KS: "Watkins plays outside and inside and Junior we took him as a returner. So, we'll throw them in with the receivers and see how that goes. But we brought him here to be a returner and try to make the team that way."
DL C.J. West
Did you have much interaction with the 49ers before this process?
"Yes, I did. I talked to the D-Line coach. I talked to some of the coaches and I had a really good interview with them back at the East West Shrine Bowl and the NFL Combine as well."
Is this kind of what you envisioned a year ago when you transferred to Indiana, hoping that this would get your draft stock more on everybody's radar?
"Yes, sir. Me transferring was to kind of put everybody on notice that I can do what I do at every level and just kind of show everybody that I'm a player, I'm a dog and I'm violent when I play football. I just love this game and I give it all full effort. So that was my goal when transferring, to get to this level and raise my draft sock."
What current NFL defensive tackles do you model your game after?
"Actually, he used to play for the 49ers. [Former NFL DL] Akiem Hicks is one of the guys that I watched a ton growing up, he played for the Bears as well. His violence at the one-tech, the things he used to do, just taking on blocks. And I watched a lot of [Cleveland Browns DL] Maliek Collins as well, he just departed from the 49ers not too long ago. He kind of, see his pass-rush game, he had a nasty spin move that he used to do. And just kind of mimic those things and work on that as this draft process has been going on. And I also watch a lot of [Chicago Bears DL] Grady Jarrett. Of course, [former Los Angeles DL] Aaron Donald, everybody watches Aaron Donald, one of the greatest of all time. But yeah, I watch a lot of players."
Do you see yourself as a nose tackle, three-technique? What's your best spot?
"I'm multiple. I can do it everywhere. But my bread and butter is at the one-technique. That's where I just abuse centers, punch them in the face, be as violent as possible, just creating havoc down there in the middle."
So you clearly bonded really well with defensive line coach Kris Kocurek?
"Yes (laughter)."
He's a guy who likes violence. And how was your interaction with Kocurek and also defensive coordinator Robert Saleh?
"Oh, it was great. They're coaches that really know what they're doing and they also have passion for the game. You could just see it in the way they talk. When I was on the phone with them, you just see it in the way they talk, the way they coach. And that's the type of coaching style that I love. That's the type of coaching I want to be in. And that's the program and culture that I want to be in as well. So, I'm excited to get to work. I can't wait."
With Collins and Minnesota Vikings DL Javon Hargrave both leaving, I'm sure it was pointed out that, "Hey, if we take you, you can step in and play right now."
"Yes, sir. Yes, sir. And I'm ready for that. I'm ready to take that role, but also, I'm ready just to learn from all the older guys. I'm a sponge when it comes to that. I love picking veterans' brains and just kind of getting the ins and outs of the league and picking up the playbook and learning everything in and out like the back of my hand. So, I'm ready for that. And I'm going to be prepared when Sundays come."
How many teams' hats do you have?
"This one. This is the only one I have. This is the only one (laughter)."
How did you get that hat?
"My agent sent it to me. This is the only one. The only one I'm rocking, all of the other ones are all the way in the garbage somewhere (laughter)."
How familiar are you with the other players that are on the defensive line?
"You guys picked up [DL] Alfred Collins, right? Yeah. Alfred Collins. And there was another guy that you guys also picked up? I can't remember his name."
DL Mykel Williams.
"Yeah, him. I had a couple conversations with them at the Combine as well, and they seemed like real good dudes. I'm sure we'll gel well. I'm a guy who, I love teammate camaraderie, so I'm going to just try to gel with them, become a good bond. And that's how defensive lines work well together, when they've got a good bond and they understand each other and have a feel for each other. So that's something I'm really looking forward to doing as well."
WR Jordan Watkins
Can you talk about your visit to Santa Clara and who you met with when you were out here earlier this month?
"Yes, sir. So, whenever I came out there earlier this month, I pretty much met everybody besides [head] coach [Kyle] Shanahan. I think coach Shanahan got a little busy. But I got to meet everybody else. I got to spend a lot of time with the receivers coach, with the offensive coordinator, we had a fun time at Top Golf. It was just a great experience and I kind of felt the energy in the room and around the facility. They really showed that they really cared about me and that they were very interested in drafting me."
Did they talk about a plan for what you might bring to the game, what you might be doing once you get here?
"Yes. So, they kind of spoke to me about what it takes to be a 49er, especially as a rookie in coach Shanahan's system. It's going to be tough. It's going to be hard to be able to work my way up onto the field as a rookie. But I think the thing that makes San Francisco very special is that they really care about football there. And they told me that if you care about football and you love football, then you're going to fit in great here."
There's a major emphasis here for wide receivers on blocking. How were you in that area at Mississippi?
"Yeah, [Mississippi head] coach [Lane] Kiffin, he emphasizes blocking a lot. I think there's a lot of similarities between coach Kiffin's offense and the way coach Shanahan does things. They like to get, I guess, down and dirty a little bit with their receivers, whether we're blocking defensive ends or cracking linebackers. So, there's a lot of similarity between how we did it at Ole Miss and how coach Shanahan runs his system."
What position on wide receiver do you like to play the most? Do you like the X, what is your favorite lineup spot?
"I guess I don't really have a favorite, just wherever I see fit really. I think I favorite myself in any matchup, in any given week. I'm able to play the slot if I need to and I'm also able to play outside if I need to as well."
You say you have to work your way up, but obviously Washington Commanders WR Deebo Samuel is not here anymore. And WR Brandon Aiyuk is injured, and he may miss part of the season, so there's a chance to play right away. What do you think of your chances for that?
"Yeah, like you said there's some key factors they're missing. So, there is going to be opportunity to be able to step in and make those big plays that are needed to win football games. So, if I'm able to come in and blessed enough to work my way up to see the field, whatever that role may be, whether I need to, like you said, block, go down and block somebody or whether it's making big plays. So, I guess I'm just happy to be able to step into those roles and make plays and help any way I can."
Shanahan likes receivers that can separate. Did he talk about that with you? When you come out on these visits, do you have a sit down with the head coach and go over your film, stuff like that?
"Yeah, so I sat down with the offensive coordinator and the receivers coach and they kind of had a breakdown of my film. They even made me grade myself on how good I am blocking and stuff like that. They also did a breakdown of my big explosive plays, things they liked, things they didn't like. So yeah, definitely."
What grade did you give yourself on blocking?
"I think I gave myself like a seven and a half or an eight on blocking. And then the explosive plays, the receiver coach, he didn't really give us a grade on that. It was just kind of more so things that he likes."
How much credit do you deserve for making New York Giants QB Jaxson Dart a first-round draft pick?
"I don't like to take any of the credit. Jaxson's a heck of a player. He is a heck of a competitor. And whenever I saw the Giants traded back into the first round, I was like, 'yeah, they're taking Jaxson here, 100-percent'. There's no doubt in my mind that he's going to be a great quarterback in the NFL one day. And even if he gets time early to play, I think that he's going to make the best of his opportunity."
You guys were together for three years. Is that right?
"Yes, sir. Yes, sir."
How did that rapport build through the years, and how were you guys able to feed off each other?
"Yeah, we were able to, we relied on each other a lot. I consider him to be one of my best friends. And I think that he would say the same. As soon as I got drafted, he'd seen it and he texted me immediately. So, that's my guy, man. I don't think that I'd be in this position that I am without him just because he trusts me and that's the guy that gets me the ball. So, I definitely owe him a lot."
What do you think will be the biggest adjustment as you transition to the NFL and sort of adapt your game to the 49ers system?
"I think the biggest adjustment is the playbook. Having a traditional style NFL offense compared to what we had at Ole Miss is a lot different because having time in and out between plays and things like that compared to being at Ole Miss to where it's so fast and it's rapid. I think that'll be the biggest adjustment for me."
RB Jordan James
What kind of contact did you have with the 49ers leading up to this day?
"I kept in touch with [running backs] Coach [Robert] Turner [Jr.] a lot. He made sure to check on me and things like that. But I had a Zoom call with him and I'm pretty sure I had an informal with him at the Combine, but I've had a lot of contact with him."
If you were to take a guess, how many text messages and phone calls did you receive from him during this?
"I wouldn't say it was a crazy amount, but he made sure like every week just leading up to the draft to keep in touch with me. So, I got quite a few."
49ers chief executive officer and owner Jed York tweeted just before you were drafted that former 49ers RB Frank Gore was a big fan of yours. What does that mean to you?
"That means a lot. Just the caliber of player he was. That's a Hall of Fame running back right there and just to get a compliment from him on my game, that means a lot."
Did you talk to him during this?
"He is actually good friends with my old running back coach. So, he knows about me. He kept in touch with me, things like that."
And who is that coach?
"[Ohio State University running backs coach] Coach Carlos Locklyn."
Bobby Turner's kind of notorious for having a lot of contact with his draft prospects, making sure that they answer. Was that something that you made a priority to make sure when he called you answered very quickly?
"Yeah, most definitely. I answered every call. If I didn't answer, I got right back to him immediately. So, I made sure to keep in touch with him and get back to him as fast as I could."
What's something that he emphasized during this draft process for you?
"Just be yourself. He said it a lot on Zoom, just be myself. There's no right or wrong answers to any questions that he was asking me, just trying to see the type of person I was."
Can you describe how good you are at scoring rushing touchdowns?
"I like to think I'm pretty good at that. But I'm just trying to get in that endzone. I'm trying to get those points on the board. I want to be explosive in everything I do."
Do you like one-cut zone scheme running?
"Most definitely."
The 49ers have had a lot of success on the ground with a lot of different running backs. I don't know how deep you've gotten into it, but what do you think about the 49ers system fits you best?
"I think they have a great outside zone run scheme that I'm pretty good at that I did a lot at Oregon, so I think I'll fit pretty well into their into their scheme and into their offense in general."
Is RB Christian McCaffrey a guy that you've watched a lot?
"Yeah, most definitely. He's one of the great running backs right now. He's one of the best in the league right now. It's honestly going to be an honor to go in and learn from him, learn from a great running back like that."
I'm not asking you to liken yourself to Frank Gore at this point, but he is a guy who is not known as a speedster, but obviously he was very effective with his style. I'm sure you've heard you're not the fastest running back, so are Gore and other running backs like that, guys who have patterned yourself after?
"Yeah, for sure. I like to just watch running backs that kind of run similar to me. I tell everyone that I don't really model my game after anyone specifically, but I take bits and pieces of things that the great running backs do, and the current running backs right now, that they do every Sunday. So, Frank Gore is definitely one of those guys. I like to look at guys that kind of remind me of myself. So, Frank Gore is definitely one of those guys. A guy that's hard to tackle. He's explosive. We don't have the 4.3, we're not 4.3 speed guys, but we get the job done."
S Marques Sigle
Did you have any inclination that the 49ers were a team that could take you?
"I knew it was in the discussions, I met with the coaches, so it kind of, I got that Zoom interview. It was up in the air, but I didn't know if they would pull me or not. So I'm just thankful that they did. This is my dad's team, so I always dreamed of this."
Is that right?
"Definitely."
Your dad's team?
"Yeah, this is my dad's favorite team."
How did he become 49ers fan?
"I'll have to get with him and have that discussion after this night, so I'll have that for you soon."
Did he pass that on to you? Were you a 49ers fan growing up?
"That was kind of like my backup team. I always followed players and my teammates, so anytime my team or players were doing bad, I was always like, 'Hey, I'm a 49ers fan.' So I always knew that they were coming in clutch, so to be with them is amazing."
What's your best attribute other than your speed?
"My versatility. I can play multiple positions. I can play free safety, strong safety, nickel and dime. So, just my versatility."
Who did you meet with during this process? Did you meet with defensive coordinator Robert Saleh? Who from the 49ers did you talk to?
"I met with [defensive passing game specialist/defensive backs coach Daniel] coach Bullocks."
What did they tell you about potential fit here? Would you be considered a nickel or a safety? How do you think you could be deployed?
"I'll be able to play anything they put me at. Anything they put me at, I'm going to be there."
Who are safeties that you watch in the league that you kind of model your game after?
"I would say [Detroit Lions S] Brian Branch from the Detroit Lions and [S] Jalen Pitre from the Houston Texas. I would say they're just kind of like similar to me."
Back a few years ago, the 49ers drafted Detroit Lions CB D.J. Reed from Kansas State. Do you know him at all? Have you watched him?
"I never got to meet him actually, but I always kept up with him, so I definitely know of his name, but I never actually got to talk to him yet."
When you look at the 49ers defense or you think of the 49ers defense, what kind of pops out at you as far as the group that you'll be joining?
"Physical. I always, my favorite player playing Madden was [LB] Fred Warner. I know he's going to get the ball out, so physical and that's what I like to play. Physical and disciplined."
Is he a guy that you watched a lot?
"Most definitely."
Why do you like him so much?
"Just the type of leader he is. How he plays is just, he's always ahead of the offense and that's where I'm trying to get. I want to be ahead of the offense. I know my defense, I know everywhere everybody is supposed to be, I just want to predict what's coming at me so I can be just like him."
I'm sure you'll come to know that there's going to be a lot of youth on this defense that you're joining. What do you most look forward to with sort of the dynamic that expectations early could be on your plate?
"I just know we're coming into a winning program, so that's what I want to bring. I've always been a part of a winning program, so I want to bring that with me. I know it's going to take a lot. My four core disciplines back in college was discipline, commitment, toughness and be selfless. So, I know that some of those carry on to San Francisco. So I just wanted to carry that with me and lead that to keep us on a winning program."
You were at North Dakota State and you were teammates with QB Trey Lance when he was getting drafted by the 49ers, right?
"Yes, sir."
What do you recall about that experience for him and for you guys at North Dakota State?
"It just showed to be a backup quarterback and then lead your team to a national championship. Then next year, having COVID to be in the number three pick of the year. So it just shows, hey, you just got to come and when your time is time, be ready for it. And at that time, he was ready for it. So now I'm here, so I'm ready for it."
Can you just say one more time what your core disciplines were?
"It was discipline, commitment, toughness, and be selfless at Kansas State."
QB Kurtis Rourke
How much did you talk to the 49ers through this process?
"I spoke to them a good amount of times, spoke to them at the Combine a little bit and then I had a meeting one-on-one with [quarterbacks] coach [Mick] Lombardi and talked through a bunch of great things and developed a relationship. But yeah, definitely had good conversation with them leading up to today."
What are your thoughts on how you would fit into this system? Or what is it about this system that kind of plays to your strengths?
"I love the situation. The offense is so dynamic, I think it has a lot of similarities to last year in Indiana and the way they move the ball and different types of ways to attack defenses. And obviously [head] coach [Kyle] Shanahan has developed a great offense and I'm excited to be a part of it."
You had surgery in January. Where are you at in your rehab and how's the knee feeling?
"Yeah, I'm in a really good spot. Really excited about where I am and I'm looking forward to getting on the plan of the 49ers and their medical staff and starting to figure out what the future looks like."
How similar is the Indiana offense to the one that you ran at Ohio? And what was that transition like for you?
"Yeah, I think it's very, the operation was very different in the way they call plays. At Ohio, we tried to be in the perfect play every single time, which definitely has its benefits. And then transitioning to Indiana, it was more like being able to know where to go with the ball on each play based on the defense and the coverage. And so that differentiated everything and there was a little difference in all that. And so, it definitely helped me understand and learn and be able to read defenses in different way. And so, got kind of best of both worlds and being able to experience both Ohio and Indiana's offense."
Which one do you think is most similar to the 49ers?
"I definitely think Indiana's. The way that the 49ers motion a ton, vertical passing game and being able to mix things up with all the different types of talent they have on offense. I think it relates a lot to Indiana and what we did last year with all of our playmakers. And so, I think it just fits really well from coming from Indiana to now with you guys."
I know you said that you'll be on the 49ers timeframe, but do you get the sense that this year will be kind of a redshirt year for you while you recover?
"We'll see how things go. My mindset has always been get back as soon as I can and as soon as I can do anything, then I'm going to do it. That's the way I was in the first time around and that's the mindset I have this time. So definitely want to be a part of the 49ers plan, but again, going to be pushing for as early as possible."
What were the challenges of playing with that injury last year?
"There wasn't too much. I definitely stayed in the pocket a little bit more than normal and than I have in my past years. But I loved being able to sit back in the pocket and beat people with my mind. And so that's kind of how our offense kind of shifted as the season went on. But if I needed to make a play or run to get a first down, I was going to do that anyway. The pain wasn't crazy, it was more discomfort. And so, just something that I had to work through."
I read that it was a particularly heavy brace. Did that limit your mobility a lot last year?
"A brace is a brace. It's not natural to run with it in general. And so, it was definitely something to get used to. But once I got used to it, I felt like it was part of me. Whether it weighed me down, I don't think so. I think I'm a little stronger than that, but it was definitely hard to get used to at the start."
What kind of inspiration do you take coming to a team where they also found a seventh-round quarterback?
"I'm very honored. Yeah, definitely being able to come in a system where they took [QB] Brock [Purdy] a couple years ago. I'm really excited, excited to learn from him, excited to learn from the coaching staff. They developed him into one of the best quarterbacks in the league. And so I'm excited to be a part of that, be in the organization and follow that path as well."
You're joining teammate, DL C.J. West out here. What can you say about him and what do you think he would say about you?
"We've been texting throughout the day, honestly. I texted him right after I got the call that we were going to stay teammates. That's someone that works extremely hard. I knew he was going to be an impact right when he went earlier today. And so, I'm so excited to be on the same team as him again and be able to work together and help make the 49ers better."
How do you say your decision to transfer to Indiana allowed you to be part of that turnaround. How important was that decision for you? Looking back on it, how has it prepared you to step into this new chapter?
"I definitely wanted to make the challenge and make the leap and prove that I could play against the best, knowing that the risk that will come with it. And so I went betting on myself believing that I could do it. And it definitely turned out and worked out that I was able to get drafted first and foremost, but also get drafted by my team that I'm extremely excited to be a part of."
Going through this, every step of the way with your brother and his professional career, how much has that helped you make this transition?
"Oh, it means everything. My brother's been there every step of the way and that hasn't stopped during this draft process. He was there with me today, almost as nervous as I was and anxious. So it's just been a blessing to have him to talk through things and honestly stress about with. And so I just couldn't be more grateful for him and the role that he's played in my life."
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