49ers rookie RB Guerendo turning heads early with intangible traits

SANTA CLARA — Rookie running back Issac Guerendo answered the call both literally and figuratively when the 49ers rang throughout the draft process. The speedy ball carrier was in constant contact with running backs coach Bobby Turner, who believes that a prospect's abilities on the field are as important as their behavior off of it. But most of all, Guerendo has one very important trait that the venerable coach knew the team needed. "We were looking for speed," Turner told NBC Sports Bay Area. "He has the speed and he's bigger. He's 221-222 pounds. We needed another fast runner in our offense. During my interview process leading up to this, the very first thing I saw on tape was the ability to break the long runs and take it to the house, hit the home run." Guerendo spent four seasons at the University of Wisconsin before transferring to the University of Louisville where he flourished, registering 132 rushing attempts for 810 yards, and 11 touchdowns along with 22 catches for 234 yards for the Cardinals last season. Prior to the draft, Guerendo showed his speed to the league at the NFL Scouting Combine, where he ran a blistering 4.33 40-yard dash — the fastest of all running...