DeMeco Ryans: Trey Lance making practices tough on 49ers defense

After Wednesday's practice, San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans spoke with reporters. Many eyes have been on Trey Lance during organized team activities (OTAs), so who better to ask about the second-year quarterback than the man in charge of the defense going against him during practice?

"I think Trey, he's done a great job," Ryans told reporters. "It's good to see him with his command and him running the offense. He's zipping it past us a lot, so he's making it tough on us.

"Trey has done a great job. It's good to see him just coming into his own role as a leader and being able to take control of the team. We're fired up for Trey and what he can do for us."

That's good news for those who have allowed Lance's skeptics to worry them. There has been a national-media narrative that the 49ers doubt the 22-year-old quarterback's development since the team made him the No. 3 overall pick last year. Teammates and coaches have said the opposite, though. They continually say that Lance has them excited about San Francisco's future.

"That dude can sling the rock. I'll tell you that," second-year safety Talanoa Hufanga said of the quarterback on Wednesday. "Trey has been tremendous. I think just kind of his guidance between his first year and his second year, just being a rookie with him, was awesome. Getting to see his insight as a quarterback, kind of see what they see and what they're looking for, and what he can do on the field is just outstanding.

"You love to go against that kind of competition each and every day. So, I'm excited to have him [on my team], and I'm just blessed to be on the same field as him."

Lance started just two games last season, throwing 71 total passes in his 178 offensive snaps—too small a sample size to make any concrete conclusions about the young quarterback.

Wednesday was the second practice of the week and the only one open to the media this week. The 49ers will return to the practice field on Friday.