San Francisco 49ers executives and coaches made the 13-mile trek west from the team's headquarters in Santa Clara on Thursday to watch the Stanford players hoping to be drafted or picked up by an NFL team later this month. The large contingent consisted of general manager John Lynch, head coach Kyle Shanahan, special teams coordinator Richard Hightower, receivers coach Wes Welker, offensive assistant Katie Sowers, and others, according to reports from The Athletic.
Also on hand was 49ers defensive lineman Solomon Thomas, a first-round selection out of Stanford in 2017.
#49ers execs and coaches weren't the only ones on hand for Stanford's pro day. One of the benefits of being right down the road. @SollyThomas90 pic.twitter.com/MaakWjtLwo
— 49ers Webzone (@49erswebzone) April 4, 2019
Among the main attractions was wide receiver J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, who reportedly clocked a 4.49-second 40-yard dash. Welker and Sowers likely attended to evaluate the 6-foot-2 receiver as a potential option for the 49ers, who still seak a big threat in the red zone.
Big WR JJ Arcega-Whiteside runs his 40 at Stanford pro day. I'll have a time estimate later pic.twitter.com/kqTAGC847H
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) April 4, 2019
Hightower's presence could be an indication that the 49ers might be interested in punter Jake Bailey. The team opted not to bring back former fifth-round pick Bradley Pinion, who signed a four-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but did sign former Green Bay Packers punter Justin Vogel as a potential replacement.
49ers contingent at Stanford pro day includes special teams coordinator Richard Hightower, presumably here to look at punter Jake Bailey.
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) April 4, 2019
Wes Welker, Katie Sowers also here for #49ers. WR JJ Arcega-Whiteside is working out today, didn't do much at the combine.
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) April 4, 2019
Stanford WR JJ Arcega-Whiteside looked impressive during drills today and ran his 40 in the high 4.4s. #49ers had a HUGE contingent on hand, including Kyle Shanahan, John Lynch and Wes Welker. Arcega-Whiteside also eligible to take part in SF's local pro day later this month.
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) April 4, 2019
Below are the former Stanford players who took part in Thursday's pro day:
- Joey Alfieri, LB
- J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, WR
- Jake Bailey, P
- Isaiah Brandt-Sims, WR
- Jesse Burkett, C
- Brandon Fanaika, G
- A.T. Hall, T
- Nate Herbig, G
- Alijah Holder, CB
- Trenton Irwin, WR
- Bryce Love, RB
- Alameen Murphy, CB
- Bobby Okereke, LB
- Kaden Smith, TE