SANTA CLARA – The training wheels are coming off for Spencer Burford, Drake Jackson and the 2022 class of 49ers rookies.
For more than five months they’ve been waiting for Week 1 and Sunday’s road opener in the rain and wind of Soldier Field is just hours away.
“I’m nervous, bruh,” Burford said. “I’m not gonna lie to you, bruh. I’m nervous. But that comes natural because I care about this.”
A fourth-round pick out of the University of Texas-San Antonio, Burford will probably notice a slight jump in competition from the Conference USA to the NFL.The 22-year-old earned a starting right guard gig with a strong training camp, when he earned glowing reviews from coach Kyle Shanahan.
The interior of the 49ers offensive line appears to be the biggest question mark heading into the season. With the departure of trusted, reliable veteran left guard Laken Tomlinson in free agency, and the retirement of center Alex Mack, the 49ers are going younger. 2021 second-round pick Aaron Banks is set to succeed Tomlinson, while Jake Brendel, who has played in just one offensive snap since 2018.
That’s a lot of inexperience alongside All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams, who has taken up resident OG status within the 49ers locker room. Before Wednesday’s practice, Williams was sharing game at Burford’s locker with him and a few other young teammates.
“That’s my dude,” Burford said. “That’s big bro. Sometimes we just be talking, shootin’ it, about different things, life.”
49ers coach Kyle Shanahan is renowned for his misdirections on offense and elaborate blocking schemes, which will be demanding for Burford and Banks. But there’s nowhere to hide now.
“We gonna have to handle it one way or another,” Burford said. “You’re put in this position, you have a job to uphold. Whether we get that job done … they’re gonna find somebody. Either you get the job done or somebody else will. We’re just trying to do everything we can to improve, make constant improvements, make sure you’re not staying stagnant in the same place. When you complete the job, you not only complete it, but do it at a level to separate from others.”
Top 49ers tailback Elijah Mitchell said he’s been impressed with what he’s seen from Burford so far.
“Just what he showed in film and stuff and preseason, it’s amazing how he moves and stuff,” Mitchell said. “But young guys, it’s like that at first. They’re gonna catch on and it’s gonna be amazing.”
Jackson, the 49ers’ second-round pick out of USC, will likely get a lot of snaps rotating off the edge at defensive end. The 49ers love to cycle in fresh legs and Jackson looked like a playmaker in the preseason. He’ll begin the year as a reserve behind Samson Ebukam, but don’t be surprised if he’s starting opposite Nick Bosa by season’s end.
“That’s probably one of the things that I prayed for on draft day, just landing in a spot that’s the right role for me,” Jackson said. “I landed right in it. I got Nick Bosa and all my guys that’s teaching me. I just landed in the right spot.”
Jackson became known for his backflip exploits with USC and even did one into his pool after getting drafted by the 49ers.
So, can we expect to see a backflip in a Niners uniform?
“If I don’t get fined, I might do one,” Jackson said. “I’m super excited. Overjoyed with feelings, but gotta stay level-headed so I can make the plays that I need to make.”
Jackson could be part of the 49ers third-down package. He will get a chance to pin his ears back and get his first NFL sack on Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields.
“Super athlete,” Jackson said of Fields. “We just gotta keep him inside and do whatever we can. Just go out there and ball.”
The other 49ers rookie expected to get big playing time is nickelback Samuel Womack, a fifth-round selection out of Toledo. We’ll have to see if third-round pick running back Ty-Davis Price and undrafted rookie running back Jordan Mason make the gameday roster.
