© Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports
Kyle Shanahan and his assistants will coach the South squad in the Senior Bowl Jan. 26. The 49ers coaching staff will have the opportunity to work alongside and develop relationships with some of 2019’s top prospects ahead of April’s draft. As of today, the 49ers have five draft picks, including No. 2 overall, in 2019.
Let’s run through the South roster.
OFFENSE
QUARTERBACKS
Will Grier, West Virginia
Gardner Minshew II, Washington State
Jarrett Stidham, Auburn
Clayton Thorson, Northwestern
Tyree Jackson, Buffalo
Outlook: The 49ers aren’t in the market for quarterbacks, but this is a fine list of college standouts. Grier and Minshew finished fourth and fifth, respectively, in touchdown passes this past season, trailing only players likely to hear their names called in the first round of either this year’s or next year’s draft.
RUNNING BACKS
Bruce Anderson, North Dakota State
Ryquell Armstead, Temple
LJ Scott, Michigan State
Trevon Wesco, West Virginia
Outlook: With Jerick McKinnon supplementing an already solid running back corps in 2019, the 49ers are set here. Out of this quartet of runners, Armstead was the only 1,000-yard rusher this past season.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Tyre Brady, Marshall
Travis Fulgham, Old Dominion
Jalen Hurd, Baylor
Hunter Renfrow, Clemson
Deebo Samuel, South Carolina
David Sills V, West Virginia
Jaylen Smith, Louisville
Anthony Johnson, Buffalo
Outlook: We broke down the South’s wide receiver group more extensively here. For fans yearning for the 49ers to draft a big-bodied red-zone target the team current lacks, look no farther. This South squad has plenty of tall, physical options, including Tyre Brady (6-foot-3, 208 pounds), Travis Fulgham (6-foot-3, 215 pounds), Jalen Hurd (6-foot-4, 229 pounds), David Sills V (6-foot-4, 203 pounds), Jaylen Smith (6-foot-4, 220 pounds), and Anthony Johnson (6-foot-2, 210 pounds). Sills led the NCAA with 18 receiving touchdowns in 2017 and finished second with 15 receiving touchdowns in 2018. Johnson parlayed consecutive seasons of 1,000-plus yards and 11-plus touchdowns. Samuel, who fell victim to poor quarterback play in 2018, flashed his pro talent when he piled up 10 catches for 210 yards and three touchdowns against National Champion Clemson. Renfrow is a shifty possession receiver who played a key part in each of Clemson’s two national title triumphs in the past four years.
TIGHT ENDS
Foster Moreau, LSU
Josh Oliver, San Jose State
Dax Raymond, Utah State
Outlook: Tight end isn’t a need for the 49ers. After his record-breaking 2018 season, George Kittle has ascended into one of the NFL’s preeminent tight ends, and Garrett Celek is a good blocker who occasionally breaks a big gain through the air. If you’re looking for a solid prospect out of the above trio, focus on San Jose State’s Josh Oliver, who compiled 56 receptions, 709 yards, and four touchdowns in 2018.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
BJ Autry, Jacksonville State
Yodny Cajuste, West Virginia
Dennis Daley, South Carolina
Andre Dillard, Washington State
Tytus Howard, Alabama State
Elgton Jenkins, Mississippi State
Javon Patterson, Ole Miss
Ross Pierschbacher, Alabama
Ben Powers, Oklahoma
Outlook: The 49ers will surely return four of their five starting offensive linemen from 2018. The one set to hit free agency is right guard Mike Person, who is likely to be re-signed. It’s important to note Joe Staley will hit free agency after 2019. Some players to watch in this group: Oklahoma right guard Ben Bowers (consensus All-American) and guard/center hybrid Ross Pierschbacher (second-team All-Sec selection).
DEFENSE
DEFENSIVE LINE
Montez Sweat
Jaylon Ferguson
Oshane Ximines
Jonathan Ledbetter
Isaiah Buggs
Dontavius Russell
Anthony Nelson
Outlook: No Josh Allen is a big disappointment here. Kentucky’s star defensive end, one of San Francisco’s top options at the No. 2 overall pick, has elected not to participate in the Senior Bowl. But the 49ers will coach a couple dangerous edge rushers in the upcoming game. Mississippi State’s Montez Sweat is a fringe top-five edge rusher in this year’s draft, but he’s a stretch at No. 2 overall, and it’s unlikely he would fall to the 49ers at No. 35 overall. If he does, he would be a steal. This group also includes one of the nation’s top players you may have never heard of: Louisiana Tech’s Jaylon Ferguson. His 45 career sacks are the most in NCAA history. He led the country with 17.5 sacks and finished second with 26 tackles for loss in 2018. He’s a four-year standout who also posted 14.5 sacks his sophomore year.
LINEBACKERS
Otaro Alaka, Texas A&M
Deshaun Davis, Auburn
Terrill Hanks, New Mexico State
David Long Jr., West Virginia
Christian Miller, Alabama
Bobby Okereke, Stanford
D’Andre Walker, Georgia
Outlook: Georgia’s D’Andre Walker is the name to watch in this group. Walker averaged 12 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks throughout the past two seasons. The 6-foot-3, 245-pounder would fit nicely as a strong-side linebacker in San Francisco’s 4-3 scheme. He’s an intriguing option for the 49ers, which need more talent and depth at linebacker, should he drop to the second round. Deshaun Davis 102 tackles comfortably led Auburn in 2018. Alabama edge rusher Christian Miller is more of a long-term project who could blossom into a big-time pro.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Johnathan Abram, Mississippi State
Mike Edwards, Kentucky
Jaquan Johnson, Miami
Isaiah Johnson, Houston
Lonnie Johnson Jr., Kentucky
Sheldrick Redwine, Miami
Juan Thornhill, Virginia
Darius West, Kentucky
Khari Willis, Michigan State
Rock Ya-Sin, Temple
Outlook: Shanahan has emphasized adding to the cornerback room. The 49ers could also use more competition at safety after cycling in eight players throughout those two spots in 2018. The 49ers covet tall, long, physical cornerbacks in their Cover-3 scheme. This crop of prospects is further proof — all four cornerbacks stand 6-foot-1 or taller. Houston’s Isaiah Johnson, who plays lots of press coverage, stands at 6-foot-4, 203 pounds. Kentucky’s Lonnie Johnson is 6-foot-3, 206 pounds. Keep an eye on Mississippi State strong safety Jonathan Abram, a second-team All-SEC selection. Virginia safety Juan Thornhill finished tied for second in the country with six interceptions this past season.
