The San Francisco 49ers have spoken with former USC offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker, per Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area.
#USC O-lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker told me he has had contact with the #49ers and why much he admires Trent Williams' play so much: https://t.co/gj9qriQvp3
— Jennifer Lee Chan (@jenniferleechan) March 22, 2021
It isn't clear if the contact was a virtual interview, at the school's pro day, or elsewhere. Although, with current restrictions on communications, it might be safe to assume that the discussions were conducted virtually.
Vera-Tucker (6-4, 315) has experience at both guard and tackle. He had initially planned to opt out of the 2020 season when the Pac-12 considered postponing play. However, the offensive lineman changed his mind when the conference reversed his decision.
Vera-Tucker spent most of this past season at left tackle.
"He has exceptional athleticism, as evidenced by his balance and body control in his pass set," wrote Drae Harris of The Draft Network. "He is an easy mover who demonstrates his athleticism in the passing game, particularly in his kick slide. He plays with very good competitiveness when he is bull rushed. In the run game, he comes off the ball hard to strike and he excels by getting his body in favorable positions."
Vera-Tucker studied Quenton Nelson of the Indianapolis Colts while playing guard for the Trojans. However, moving to tackle made him a big fan of 49ers veteran Trent Williams.
"I feel like with Trent Williams, he is a really physical player, and he can move really well for how big he is," Vera-Tucker said via Chan. "Real athletic. His feet move really nicely, and he climbs to the second level really well.
"You can tell he has specific aiming points whether it's in pass [protection] or the run game. His hands are really good in pass [protection]. Just trying to be able to study all of that, how he steps too, is really important to me at tackle."
The 2021 NFL Draft begins on April 29.