New San Francisco 49ers running back Trey Sermon was already familiar with at least one rookie teammate — quarterback Trey Lance. The two trained together, leading to the draft, and Sermon learned quickly how hard of a worker Lance is.
"When I got that call (from the 49ers), I was excited," Sermon shared with reporters on Friday. "I was training with this guy back in Florida, and now we're going to be on the same team. It was definitely a good feeling."
Sermon, Lance, and the rest of the 49ers rookies are taking part in a three-day minicamp this weekend. They were already hard at work learning Kyle Shanahan's playbook. The rookie minicamp will be their first opportunity to show the coaching staff how much they have absorbed.
Sermon was asked about his first impressions of Shanahan. The rookies had already taken part in a walkthrough when they spoke with reporters on Friday morning.
"My first impression, from what I've seen, I've known that he was a great coach, a great offensive-minded coach," Sermon said of Shanahan. "And just being around him, today at walkthroughs, he seems very detailed, and I feel like that's how you've got to be, especially as a head coach. So, I'm definitely looking forward to continuing to learn under him, as well."
Sermon will be working closer with his position coach, Bobby Turner. The longtime NFL running backs coach is well-respected by his players and begins building relationships with draft prospects as soon as the season ends. In fact, he may be on the phone, which he prefers over video chats, with draft prospects more than any other coach.
Turner has a reputation for getting the best out of his running backs.
"I'm excited to work with him," Sermon said. "Throughout the draft process, we talked a lot and developed a great relationship. And I know that he's going to coach me hard, he's going to laugh and joke with me, and he's going to bring the best out of me."
San Francisco made Sermon the first of two third-round draft picks, selecting him No. 88 overall out of Ohio State and trading up to do so.
Sermon had 2,946 rushing yards on 455 attempts (6.5 yards per carry) with 26 rushing touchdowns through his four collegiate seasons.