New San Francisco 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell spoke with reporters after being drafted in the sixth round. Here is everything he had to say.
Transcript provided by the San Francisco 49ers Communications staff.
I'm assuming that during this process, you got to know running backs coach Robert Turner pretty well. Can you talk about what you're able to learn from him and the things that you guys talked about during this process?
"Yeah. He is an awesome coach. Just from talking to him, I know that he coaches hard and he is in to the little things, like just running wise, running between the tackles and running outside zone. He's very all in about it, as I can say, all in about it. And I'm excited to be able to work with one of the great coaches in the league."
Seeing what RB Raheem Mostert, another really speedy back, has been able to do in this game, what's your level of excitement knowing how the 49ers prioritize the running game and what they can do with the back of your speed?
"Just talking about myself, I love running between the tackles. I can do that well. I can run outside zone and once I get to the secondary, I can go to distance. I'm excited about it and they run the ball a lot, so I'm excited about the opportunity and ready to go to work."
Have you been out to California? Are you excited for a move out west? You are also a receiving back as well. Tell us a little bit about your skillset there.
"Yeah, I've never been to Cali before, so I'm happy to go. I can't wait. Yeah, I believe that's part of my game, catching the ball out of the backfield, making people miss. So I'm excited for what's in store for me and I can't wait."
Did they say anything or did you take note of just how many quality running backs they have on the roster now? You have joined them. Did they say anything about the competition that's in store for you? If not, what are your thoughts on it?
"We really didn't talk about the competition, but I'm going in there and I'm going to work hard and whatever happens, happens for me. I'm just ready to go in there and put the work in."
Can you somehow quantify to us your speed? I guess it was a 4.33 40-yard dash, is that the time? How can you describe it to us and our readers?
"I worked hard to get faster and I dropped a little weight also. All I know is that I'm just ready to get into the open field and show everybody I can run. I'm excited to show that speed once I get there."
I know it's kind of an odd thing to compare yourself to guys were in the NFL already but who are some players that you admire, that you look up to, that you try to emulate on the field?
"One player, I always told coaches, is [New Orleans Saints RB] Alvin Kamara. He can catch the ball out of the backfield, he can make people miss, he can run in between, he could do it all. I found myself being able to do that and that's the person I looked up to in the league."