At 5-foot-9 and 181 pounds, San Francisco 49ers rookie cornerback Upton Stout may not be the most physically imposing figure on the practice field during training camp. However, the third-round draft pick is making an early case for a significant role in his first NFL season, showing promise as a potential nickel corner.
One 49ers coach is cautioning against underestimating Stout's impact.
"Upton, he is a straining, scrappy young man," defensive coordinator Robert Saleh told reporters on Friday. "Don't fall asleep on his size. The guy plays way bigger than he is, and way bigger than he looks. He's got a violence to him. He's got a violence to his demeanor. So, he's coming along really well, too, in that regard."
Saleh noted that competition for the key third cornerback spot remains "wide open," and it's clear that Stout is firmly in the mix.
"We were hoping he would be capable of that when we took him," head coach Kyle Shanahan said this week. "We knew that was a position that was open for us. He looked really good in OTAs (organized team activities), and he has looked the same here in these first two weeks."
Shanahan tempered expectations but praised the rookie's effort, adding, "So, not crowning him yet, but so far, he has been doing a hell of a job, and hopefully, he can keep getting better at it."
In a recent interview with Bay Area radio station KNBR, star linebacker Fred Warner highlighted Stout as one of the standout performers of training camp.
"Probably the smallest dog in the fight, but the biggest dog in here where it counts," Warner said. "I've loved watching Upton Stout, and the way that he's competed at the nickel position. Whether it be special teams, on defense, one-on-ones, the guy's got it.
"Spectacular covering, and then, obviously, has that ability to be in the run game and get his nose dirty. I think the sky's the limit for him."
With Deommodore Lenoir and Renardo Green sidelined by injuries, Stout has been getting increased reps in practice, and it appears he's making the most of the opportunity.