Defensive end Romello Height has long admired San Francisco 49ers star pass rusher Nick Bosa, studying his technique and incorporating elements of Bosa's game into his own. Now, the third-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft is not only Bosa's teammate but also eager to forge a standout NFL career of his own.
When the two met for the first time, it marked a memorable milestone for the rookie defender.
"It was kind of like another shocking moment to be able to talk to Nick Bosa," Height said in an interview with Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area. "Defensive Rookie of the Year, big-time player, sack specialist—it was a huge deal because I looked up to him and I watch his game a lot throughout college and all that.
"And his swipe move, I kind of added that to my bag, and I kind of got that move from him in a way. So being able to talk to him was a huge deal, and being able to pick his brain and talk about how he goes about his day and do other things."
Height admits he would love to follow in Bosa's footsteps by winning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. For now, however, his focus is on helping revive a 49ers pass rush that finished last in the NFL with just 20 sacks a season ago.
"I just want to be able to help how I can help," Height said. "I want to keep stacking these days, and however many sacks I get, that's how many I get, but it's going to take a lot of work to be able to go out on that field and contribute how I want to contribute."
Height has already made a strong impression on Bosa. Early in training camp, the veteran pass rusher praised the rookie as one of the most polished first-year defensive linemen he has ever seen—a notable endorsement from an All-Pro who made an immediate impact as a rookie himself.
"Rookie-wise, I've never seen a guy come in and get the scheme as quickly and seamlessly as he has," Bosa said in July. "Even when vets come in who haven't played in this scheme, he's gotten it quicker than I did. Just the way he picked it up, it seems like second nature to him.
"And he's super explosive. He's got a bag of tricks in the pass rush that you could tell he's been coached well. And he's a little older, so that might be part of it, for a rookie. But I think he's going to contribute pretty quick."
Bosa hadn't shared those compliments with Height directly, so hearing them during the interview caught the rookie by surprise.
"He haven't even told me that, but hearing you say that, that just gave me chills again," Height said. "So that's crazy that he said that. Like I said, I just got to keep stacking days and stay humble, but that's a good feeling right there. That's big time."
If Height continues developing at his current pace, the 49ers may have found another impact pass rusher to pair with Bosa.
Comments