With their final pick (252 overall) in the 2025 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers selected one of their most intriguing players in their draft class -- wide receiver Junior Bergen of the University of Montana.
Bergen is a true sleeper pick -- one who wasn't a part of the NFL Scouting Combine and wasn't listed in the rankings of many of the Internet's popular draft analysts. But he's had a highly productive career and is a player who could make for an interesting combination with head coach Kyle Shanahan. Here's some more information on Bergen as he heads to San Francisco.
Solid pro day marks
According to 406mtsports.com, Bergen ran a 4.52-second 40-yard dash time at Montana's pro day, which would have ranked 30th at his position at the combine. His 20-yard shuttle time of 4.22 seconds would have ranked ninth, and his 17 reps on the 225-pound bench press would have ranked fourth. The 49ers were one of 13 teams in attendance that day.
"As a kid I'd fake sick and skip class and watch 'Path to the Draft,' so it's been a dream of mine for quite some time," Bergen said, per 406mtsports. "I'm just grateful that a lot of teams came out and were able to come watch. I'm grateful that these guys were out here as well and we were able to do it one more time."
A do-everything freshman season
Bergen won his team's offensive MVP as a freshman in 2021, due in part to the need for him to play running back. Bergen rushed for 498 yards and four touchdowns, while adding 21 catches for 230 yards.
At first, Bergen couldn't believe he was asked to play running back but things obviously turned out well in the end.
"I was like 'holy crap'... it was crazy, but it was super exciting," Bergen told Montana Sports last year.
Bergen also started returning punts for the first time in his career, racking up 140 yards on eight returns. That would turn out to be a sign of things to come...
Punt return specialist
Despite having no previous experience as a punt returner, Bergen went on to have a record-setting career in that area. He finished his college career with eight punt return touchdowns, tying an all-time FCS record. Bergen averaged 16.71 yards per return throughout his career (1,136 yards, 68 returns) and was named a first-team All-American as a senior.
"When the ball's in my hand I just try to make something happen," Bergen told Montana Sports in 2023. "You never know when your opportunity's going to come. When it does come, I just try to make sure I'm prepared and ready to go."
Bergen also totaled 48 kick returns for 978 yards (23.9 average) and one touchdown on his career.
One part of a prolific career
While Bergen's punt return numbers are impressive, his overall body of work in high school and college is equally so.
Bergen was a standout at Billings Senior High School, where he played quarterback as a senior and threw for 1,186 yards and 13 touchdowns while rushing for 905 yards and 10 touchdowns. After his standout freshman season in 2021, Bergen dealt with some injury issues in 2022 while catching 17 passes for 214 yards and four touchdowns in 11 games, then followed that up with 58 catches for 791 yards and five touchdowns as a junior. Bergen was also on the passing end of a game-winning two-point conversion against North Dakota State in the FCS semifinals. As a senior, Bergen caught 48 passes for 542 yards and three touchdowns.
Bergen finished his Montana career with 577 rushing yards and four touchdowns, 1,777 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns, 77 passing yards and one touchdown, and 4,468 all-purpose yards.
Big family
Bergen was the sixth of nine siblings, which helped fuel some of his competitiveness.
"My family means everything to me," Bergen said to Montana Sports. "They've all sacrificed so much to get me in the position I'm in."
Bergen showed a love for football at an early age, even wearing his cleats to school and church. His choice in footwear caused his grandmother to nickname him "Cleatus."