The 49ers acquired the 24-year-old Omenihu from the Texans in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft just before the league's trade deadline on November 2. Omenihu played two-and-a-half seasons for the Texans after being selected in Round 5 of the 2019 NFL Draft out of the University of Texas, totaling seven sacks and 24 quarterback hits in 35 games (seven starts). He's been playing in mostly a rotational role since joining the 49ers but had his most impactful game since the trade in last Sunday's Wild Card win over the Dallas Cowboys, posting 1.5 sacks, three quarterback hits and a forced fumble.
Omenihu spoke with reporters Wednesday for the first time since the trade and made it clear he was happy to be with the 49ers, while not holding much back when discussing why he feels that way.
"Definitely a breath of fresh air for sure," Omenihu said. "This year has been a long year for me personally in my third year. My third year didn't go, as far as early on, how I thought it would be coming off of my second year—just a combination of what I was going through over there. Coming here was definitely a breath of fresh air. I love it. The organization has a lot of structure. This is not an ego-driven kind of organization. It's not a power struggle either. So it's definitely good to experience that."
What makes the 49ers a more structured organization than what Omenihu previously experienced? It comes down to communication and a clear picture of what is expected of everyone up and down the ladder.
"The leadership between the coach (Kyle Shanahan) and the GM (John Lynch), it doesn't seem like it's a power struggle," Omenihu said. "They're on the same page. They have an understanding what they want. They make it very clear of what they want, from GM to head coach, from head coach to the position coaches. It's not a circus show here. You guys definitely have things down pat and you know what you want of the players. The coaches know the expectations, and it's sought out and said. And there's not a lot of switching around, switching guys from being a starter to not being a starter. You understand what you're doing here and you just get it done."
Omenihu has been pleased with how things have been going for him on the field as well, even though he hasn't been getting quite as many snaps on defense as he was given in Houston. He's needed some time to adjust to defensive line coach Kris Kocurek's wide-nine approach, but over time Omenihu has found it to be to his liking.
"I remember when I first got here and Kris was telling me that this system would allow me to use my explosion, my length and my power me because you get a buildup to the tackles," Omenihu said. "Using my arm length, power and strength that I have, it's allowed me to be able to move guys easier, allowed for my power to show more, so any time I do use an outside rush it's more effective. So it's been good. I definitely like it."
The 49ers have Omenihu under contract for one more season and will undoubtedly be hoping that what he showed against the Cowboys is a sign of things to come. Omenihu certainly seems satisfied with where he is at the moment, now that he's gotten used to his new system and is in a place where he knows what to expect.
"It's been nothing but good, man," Omenihu said. "The guys on the D-Line accepted immediately as I got in. It was just learning the system. Learning the system didn't take me long; it was mostly learning the techniques of the system—my first time being in a wide-nine attack kind of scheme, so it was a little bit different and (needing to) get certain kinds of habits out of the way and learning how to rush and play in this system, being on the outside. Learning the scheme wasn't hard, but adjusting to how to play in the scheme was a little bit of a challenge."
Related News
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
George Kittle sends emotional message to 49ers fans after Achilles injury
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle took to Instagram on Monday, one day after suffering an Achilles injury in the team's playoff win over the Philadelphia Eagles, to share a heartfelt message with fans. "Football sucks sometimes. But I love it," Kittle wrote. "I love... -
Why the 49ers are the NFL's gutsiest team after statement win vs. Eagles
A few weeks ago, I wrote that the Niners are the grittiest team in the NFL. That could not have been truer on Sunday night. Down their number one, number two, number three, and number four linebackers? Who cares? The number seven linebacker, Garret Wallow, had eleven tackles... -
Kyle Shanahan reveals postgame message to 49ers after playoff loss to Seahawks
What do you tell a team after a blowout playoff loss to a division rival? San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan faced that question following his team's humbling Divisional Round defeat against the Seattle Seahawks. Plagued by injuries throughout the season, the 49ers... -
What if? 49ers don't hold back discussing injury impact in playoff loss to Seahawks
In an alternate reality, the San Francisco 49ers may have entered the playoffs at full strength against the Seattle Seahawks. Instead, the version that took the field Saturday night at Lumen Field was one battered by injuries and missing several cornerstone players. Without...