Brian Hoyer explains why C.J. Beathard’s college experience helps him with the 49ers

Even though quarterback C.J. Beathard is coming from a pro-style offense at Iowa, it must be difficult for the rookie to be thrown into an offense as complex as Kyle Shanahan's. It took Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan two offseasons to master it. Once he did, he ended up becoming the league's MVP.

Quarterback Brian Hoyer has worked with Shanahan before so the learning curve is not nearly as difficult for him. The eight-year veteran started 13 games with the Cleveland Browns in 2014 while Shanahan was the offensive coordinator. That year, Hoyer passed for a career-high 3,326 yards, completing 55.3 percent of his passes and throwing 12 touchdowns compared to 13 interceptions.

On Wednesday, Hoyer discussed why Beathard's college background puts him at an advantage over someone who might have come from a different style offense.

"I think the one thing that C.J. has going for him is he's one of the few quarterbacks that actually called plays (in college) from a huddle last year," Hoyer said. "He's used to having to call a play (from there). Now, there were arm signals from the sideline or whatever but that's one thing that I think you can see. C.J.'s used to having to get a play call, call in the huddle, as opposed to maybe a guy who just looks over to the sideline, never has to say anything to the offense, and then just goes and runs the play.

"I think if you were to come from a system like that and do this, you would be swimming no matter what you did because to have to hear a play, repeat it, break the huddle, and then remember all that, I could see it being tough."

That would explain why Beathard was the one quarterback on the 49ers' draft board who Shanahan really wanted. While he may have been available when San Francisco selected in the fourth round, they traded up into the third round to select him so they could rest easy that night knowing Shanahan got his guy.

In 2015, which was his best season with the Hawkeyes, Beathard completed 61.6 percent of his passes for 2,809 pass yards, 17 touchdowns, and five interceptions.