Latest news with #UptonStout
New York Times
13-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
49ers mailbag: Who's the frontrunner at safety? Darkhorses for the 2025 roster
School's out for summer. The San Francisco 49ers have wrapped up their spring semester and won't reassemble until training camp starts at the end of July. What did we learn about a roster that had its most significant upheaval since 2017?: That some rookies and young players have positioned themselves for big roles, and there are still a few significant holes heading into the summer. Advertisement Thanks for all your questions, which were culled from X, Bluesky and the comments section. Questions may have been lightly edited for length and clarity. There will be a lot of competition — which position will be the toughest and who is the under-the-radar player that will surprise us all? You can use your crystal ball to predict. — Andy T. Competition for weakside linebacker between Dee Winters and Nick Martin will be good and ultimately benefit both players. And I have no idea who the starting safeties will be on Sept. 7 in Seattle, making that a position of intrigue in July and August. As far as crystal balls and under-the-radar players, keep an eye on newcomers like safety Jason Pinnock and cornerback Tre Brown on defense. Do you think Upton Stout will be the starting nickel corner? — Jaime P. Yes, that's my guess. Here are the rookies with the best chance of starting in Week 1: Do you have any observations about linebacker Chazz Surratt? I am also curious about tight end Mason Pline and cornerback Darrell Luter Jr.— Cadmus C. I interviewed Surratt on Wednesday for an upcoming profile of special teams coordinator Brant Boyer. With Fred Warner watching from the sideline, Surratt was the No. 2 middle linebacker behind Tatum Bethune this spring. Having played for the New York Jets, he knows both the 49ers' defense and special teams, which ought to give him an edge for a roster spot. When training camp begins, he'll compete with special teams guys like Bethune, Luke Gifford, Siran Neal, George Odum, etc. Pline stands out for his size. He's the team's biggest tight end (followed by newcomer Luke Farrell) and had a few nice catches this spring, including a well-placed ball from Mac Jones on Wednesday. The first two tight end spots will go to George Kittle and Farrell. Pline, Brayden Willis, Jake Tonges and Ross Dwelley will compete for the remaining one or two spots. Advertisement Luter? He didn't make much of a splash in the practices open to reporters. In fact, I didn't see him at all in Wednesday's session. Can you give us an update on the safeties? Who's the frontrunner to start at both spots with Malik Mustapha being out? — Dylan M. Newcomers Richie Grant and Pinnock were the de facto starters with Mustapha (knee), Ji'Ayir Brown (ankle), Odum (knee) and Marques Sigle (sports hernia) watching from the sideline. Pinnock might be the most physically impressive safety the 49ers have had in a while. He's got good length, long arms and excellent speed. One question about him in recent weeks was why Robert Saleh's Jets cut him before his second season. Saleh explained Wednesday that the Jets had recently moved Pinnock from cornerback to safety and that he simply got beat out by other safeties in 2022. 'But I've always been a fan of his athleticism, his length, his football IQ,' Saleh said. 'He's a really good football player, and just being with him over the course of the first couple of months, he's grown significantly from a maturity standpoint, and he's attacked the heck out of it. He's going for it.' Pinnock, of course, also knows Saleh's and Boyer's systems, making him a quick study this spring. Because of that, he's a frontrunner to start — perhaps next to Brown — in Week 1. What is the 49ers' biggest weakness or area lacking depth going into training camp? Receiver jumps out along with safety, but what say you, Matt? — Ryan J. I agree. Both positions have a lot of bodies but not a lot of healthy bodies. Cornerback is also interesting. The team lost Charvarius Ward, Isaac Yiadom and Rock Ya-Sin in the offseason and replaced them with Stout and Brown. It's still a good group but not as deep — and proven — as it was a year ago. Chances the 49ers add a veteran guard or center, like Bryce Huff, but for the OL? Lots of doubts about the quality and quantity of the interior line. — Mike J. There's a wide gap between how the 49ers and their fans view the offensive line. The team seems happy with the talent level. Here's my guess on the first- and second-string depth chart when training camp begins: Every day I hear about rookie receiver Jordan Watkins being awesome in OTAs. Do you think he has a real chance to contribute early this season with the injury/suspensions? Which past 49ers has he resembled most closely so far? — Josh G. Shanahan looks very closely at receivers' lower bodies at practice. He wants them to be able to drive defenders off their marks, creating separation for the quarterback. That will determine how much Watkins contributes this year, and to be perfectly honest, I'm not qualified to assess how he handled that aspect this spring. Advertisement That said, he was one of the 10 49ers who stood out because he routinely made catches in the middle of the field and deep down the field. Watkins is smooth and never looks like he's straining. There's no perfect comparison for him as far as past 49ers. He's similar to Brandon Aiyuk size-wise, and like Aiyuk, he can make plays at every level of the defense. He doesn't seem to have Aiyuk's suddenness. Aiyuk creates space for throws, especially against man coverage. It remains to be seen whether Watkins can do that. What is Huff's role on the D-line, and will he take third-down snaps from Mykel Williams? — Zach H. It sounds like Huff will be a dedicated third-down edge rusher the way Dee Ford was back in 2019. And, yes, Huff will take third-down defensive end snaps from Williams. But Williams may recoup those snaps as an interior rusher. What do you make of the kicker battle? Is there even a battle, or is bringing in competition simply for optics? — Joe B. The kicker battle is Jake Moody's to lose, for sure. But having Greg Joseph — who was 7-for-7 on Wednesday — at least provides insurance should Moody get injured or go into a rut. The 49ers will have Joseph on speed dial during the regular season. Which members of the coaching staff are 'rising stars' in case of any big-name departures? — Mario M. Klay Kubiak has a new title this season — offensive coordinator — which will give him a higher profile, including once-a-week news conferences. I wouldn't be surprised if he gets offers to be a play caller in 2026. On defense, Gus Bradley has the title of assistant head coach. He'd be a natural replacement at defensive coordinator if Saleh gets scooped up. Other assistants of note include Colt Anderson (assistant special teams), Brian Fleury (tight ends), Mick Lombardi (quarterbacks) and Greg Scruggs (assistant defensive line). If Kubiak got hired elsewhere, Fleury or Lombardi might become Shanahan's No. 2 on offense. The juggling for the linebackers? What's the method to the madness there? — Tyler D. Linebackers coach Johnny Holland thinks it improves their hand-eye coordination. Better hands = more interceptions. And maybe he's right. Warner started juggling in 2023. He's had six interceptions the past two seasons after having four in his first five. Remember when Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw learned to juggle? Johnny Holland's new apprentice is Dee Winters … — Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) June 11, 2025 Which 49ers would you cast to star in a 'Muddy the Water' TV/film adaptation? — Brian P. (Top photo of Jason Pinnock: Jeff Chiu / Associated Press)
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New 49ers CB's college coach says 'every day wasn't cream and cookies' with him
After a 6-11 season that saw them finish in fourth place in the NFC West, the San Francisco 49ers added some talent to their roster this offseason, who will hopefully help them climb in the division standings and make it back to the postseason. That new group includes 11 rookies that San Francisco selected in the 2025 NFL draft. 49ers general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan focused on the defense early in the draft, attacking that side of the ball with their first five selections, including Western Kentucky cornerback Upton Stout, who the team took in the third round (No. 100 overall). Advertisement Stout, 23, was a three-star recruit out of North Shore Senior High School in Houston, Texas, before beginning his collegiate career at North Texas. After two seasons with the Mean Green, he transferred to Western Kentucky in 2022 and spent the last three years with the Hilltoppers, earning All-CAA honors and FCS All-American honors twice. At Western Kentucky, the 5-foot-8 cornerback was known for his talking on the field, and he wasn't afraid to voice his displeasure with mistakes or poor effort from his teammates around the field. 'Every day wasn't cream and cookies, right?' Hilltopers' cornerbacks coach Da'Von Brown said (via San Francisco Chronicle). 'I'd be lying to you if I told you that.' The 49ers knew about Stout's demeanor during his time at Western Kentucky, and they actually view some of those things as positives. Advertisement 'We were aware,' 49ers director of player personnel Tariq Ahmad said. 'We did a lot of background work on him. … When someone is so passionate and so competitive, it's possible not everyone responds to that or enjoys working with that type of person. But we have to figure out: Do they love football? And is the passion coming from a good place? Our scouts do a great job filtering through all of that. And we felt really comfortable with Upton.' On top of that, 49ers area scout Warren Ball said the cornerback had the "heart of a lion" and "absolutely loved what Upton Stout was about." It's unclear exactly what role Stout will play in San Francisco as a rookie, but there's a chance that he competes with Deommodore Lenoir for the starting nickel cornerback job throughout training camp and into the preseason. Stout's demanding personality may be exactly what the unit needs to get back to their physical brand of defense after giving up the fourth-most points per game (25.6) in 2024. More 49ers: 49ers veteran has eyes on one specific matchup on 2025 schedule This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: College coaches say 49ers CB Upton Stout could be tough to deal with
USA Today
25-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
New 49ers CB's college coach says 'every day wasn't cream and cookies' with him
New 49ers CB's college coach says 'every day wasn't cream and cookies' with him After a 6-11 season that saw them finish in fourth place in the NFC West, the San Francisco 49ers added some talent to their roster this offseason, who will hopefully help them climb in the division standings and make it back to the postseason. That new group includes 11 rookies that San Francisco selected in the 2025 NFL draft. 49ers general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan focused on the defense early in the draft, attacking that side of the ball with their first five selections, including Western Kentucky cornerback Upton Stout, who the team took in the third round (No. 100 overall). Stout, 23, was a three-star recruit out of North Shore Senior High School in Houston, Texas, before beginning his collegiate career at North Texas. After two seasons with the Mean Green, he transferred to Western Kentucky in 2022 and spent the last three years with the Hilltoppers, earning All-CAA honors and FCS All-American honors twice. At Western Kentucky, the 5-foot-8 cornerback was known for his talking on the field, and he wasn't afraid to voice his displeasure with mistakes or poor effort from his teammates around the field. 'Every day wasn't cream and cookies, right?' Hilltopers' cornerbacks coach Da'Von Brown said (via San Francisco Chronicle). 'I'd be lying to you if I told you that.' The 49ers knew about Stout's demeanor during his time at Western Kentucky, and they actually view some of those things as positives. 'We were aware,' 49ers director of player personnel Tariq Ahmad said. 'We did a lot of background work on him. … When someone is so passionate and so competitive, it's possible not everyone responds to that or enjoys working with that type of person. But we have to figure out: Do they love football? And is the passion coming from a good place? Our scouts do a great job filtering through all of that. And we felt really comfortable with Upton.' On top of that, 49ers area scout Warren Ball said the cornerback had the "heart of a lion" and "absolutely loved what Upton Stout was about." It's unclear exactly what role Stout will play in San Francisco as a rookie, but there's a chance that he competes with Deommodore Lenoir for the starting nickel cornerback job throughout training camp and into the preseason. Stout's demanding personality may be exactly what the unit needs to get back to their physical brand of defense after giving up the fourth-most points per game (25.6) in 2024. More 49ers: 49ers veteran has eyes on one specific matchup on 2025 schedule
