Whirlwind Experience for Undrafted Rooks
Posted by on July 27, 2011 – 5:04 PM
Fullback Bruce Miller and guard Daniel Kilgore were the first of 10 rookie draft picks to sign contracts with the 49ers. Not to be forgotten, 18 undrafted rookies put their names on a dotted line too.
Wednesday was a busy day inside the offices at 4949 Centennial Blvd. and a memorable experience for the newest members of the 49ers.
Undrafted rookies inked three-year contracts earlier in the day and later spoke with the media. The 49er draft picks, Miller (seventh-round) and Kilgore (fifth-round) are signed to four-year deals. Only first-round pick Aldon Smith (No. 7 overall) can sign a four-year contract with a team option for a fifth-year.
Of the 18 undrafted players brought into camp, perhaps none were more talked about in the aftermath of the deals than Notre Dame nose tackle Ian Williams (6-1, 305 lbs.) and Mississippi quarterback Jeremiah Masoli (5-11, 220 lbs.).
Williams was eager to join the 49ers based on a number of factors. He liked the coaching staff and enjoyed his pre-draft conversations with defensive line coach Jim Tomsula. Williams also saw an opportunity to compete for a defensive line position and wanted to follow in the footsteps of one of his mentors, former 49er great Bryant Young.
Young, a former “Golden Domer” like Williams, played 14 seasons all with the 49ers. The current University of Florida d-line coach mentored Williams while serving as a graduate assistant at Notre Dame.
Williams is all too familiar with Young’s 49ers career. He hopes to emulate it as best he can.
“If I can be half as good as he is, I’ll be satisfied,” Williams said. “Coach Young coached me two years ago when I was a junior and I learned a lot of things from him.”
Like Williams, Masoli has ties to the 49ers. He was born in San Francisco and played football at San Francisco City College before stints at the University of Oregon and Ole Miss.
Masoli was one of many undrafted rookies in awe once they arrived to 49ers headquarters.
“It’s great just walking through these doors,” said the former quarterback, who will play running back with the 49ers. “I’m very thankful; I’m in a blessed situation.”
Masoli was one of several undrafted rookies who attended the team’s local pro day before the draft. There, Masoli was asked to participate in running back drills as well as passing drills. In his estimation, the versatility he showed on the 49ers practice fields helped him capture the team’s attention.
It certainly captured their imagination too.
However, Masoli doesn’t see himself solely as a running back just yet. It’s been a while since he’s carried the football, scout team at SFCC to be exact. Still, Masoli knows it’s just an opportunity to do more on the football field.
“It’s only on paper,” Masoli said. “They can use me at any position at any time. Besides that, I’m just trying to contribute in any way possible.”
The undrafted rookies will get their opportunity to contribute soon, but will have to pass the team’s conditioning test on Thursday before practicing with the team on Friday.
Tags: Bruce Miller, Bryant Young, Daniel Kilgore, Ian Williams, Jeremiah Masoli
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By mario on Jul 27, 2011 | Reply
what the hell r yall doing besides trowing away the season
By time2speakup on Jul 27, 2011 | Reply
From Harbaugh’s signing, thru the draft, and to this moment, I am so pleased with everything that is transpiring. Everybody, like in EVERYBODY from fans to coaches to brand new rookies, to seasoned vets is excited finally – and once again. It’s been a long, long dark tunnel. But now we can see the light. Go Niners!
By PETERD on Jul 28, 2011 | Reply
mario, what the hell r y all talking about, huh? you don’t make any sense at all reacting like that to the signing of undrafted free agents.
By Chuck Bruffey on Jul 28, 2011 | Reply
And if the 49ers need some new laptops, Missouli will be their go to guy to get them a good “deal”.
By missouri 9er on Jul 28, 2011 | Reply
The team is allowed to bring in 90 players to camp then they keep the 53 they want on the team plus those they want on the practice squad..TRUST THE COACHES FOR A CHANGE!!!GO NINERS!!!!!!!!
By Jose on Jul 28, 2011 | Reply
Im afraid with what’s going on with the niners because all the teams in our division are getting better by signing and trading for players and we haven’t signed anybody we seem to be losing players like D. Baase and T. Spike’s.
By ninertime on Jul 29, 2011 | Reply
Spikes left regardless or anything people were going to say. The previous D-coach wanted him and he left to the chargers. He is a beast and im happy for him. He didnt leave because the niners didnt try, im sure the niners tried. As far as Baase… someone snagged him out from under our nose but we hopefully will be able to grab a few OL out there. Specifically a pro bowl ceneter thats on the market. We need to get 2 solid/good DBs who can ensure smily and Aldon smith have enough time to get to the QB. Nambdi would be a great choice and i cant beleive he is foolish enough to think that going to the jets or dallas is the way to go. The jets have to compete with the pats who are going to take that devision and the cowboys are choke city. They have no done anything special in a long time. With that being said neither has the niners however the niners are in a weak division and poised to take it. We no longer have an inept coaching staff to hold us back the first 8 games of the seaon. I expect great things and i think its disapointing that nambdi dosnt see the same thing. He would be a great fit for the hard hitting niners D.
By jhov247 on Jul 30, 2011 | Reply
Will someone please tell me why the front office is just sitting around while all of these free agents are being snatched up? Nate Clements just signed with the Bengals so how long are the going to wait before they sign a freakin’ corner,safety,d tackle,receiver and a meaningful fullback?Oh yeah i forgot about a outside linebacker.I’ve been a 9er fan for the last 20 something years and i’ve never seen such a lackluster approach toward building a team.