The San Francisco 49ers are gearing up for the 2025 NFL season with a palpable sense of cautious optimism, fueled by a blend of youthful energy and the wisdom of seasoned veterans. After a disappointing 6-11 finish last year, the team is determined to chart a new course—one that embraces both the challenges of a roster in transition and the high expectations that come with wearing the scarlet and gold.
At the heart of this year’s narrative is rookie cornerback Upton Stout, selected with pick No. 100 in April’s NFL draft. Stout wasted no time making his presence felt. Within just 48 hours of being drafted, he dove headfirst into defensive coordinator Robert Saleh’s notoriously complex playbook. But that’s only the beginning of his story. Stout’s commitment to mastering his craft led him to pour over the 49ers’ "teach tapes," a collection of film on past standout slot corners like K’Waun Williams and Deommodore Lenoir. The rookie even reached out to Williams on social media, forging a quick friendship and gaining invaluable insights into the nuances of the position.
"It’s really just reaching out to him just so I could just pick his brain and see how he played a lot of concepts, technique and things like that," Stout explained. "Just trying to figure out how I could be the best me but always knowing what the standard was before I came in. I just wanted to see what the standard was and see if I could try to surpass that standard."
Stout’s relentless work ethic has not gone unnoticed at training camp. Despite dealing with some calf tightness, his performance has drawn rave reviews from coaches and teammates alike. Saleh remarked that Stout has the "inside track in a very long race" to earn the starting nickel job. Linebacker Fred Warner, a pillar of the 49ers’ defense, said Stout "has it." Even former Niners great Richard Sherman singled out Stout as the player who most impressed him during a recent camp visit. General manager John Lynch didn’t hold back either, comparing Stout’s competitiveness and skillset to Hall of Famer Ronde Barber—a lofty comparison for any rookie.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan echoed these sentiments, saying, "He’s made of the right stuff. A lot of guys got to learn it, but he hasn’t had to learn it. You can tell he was that way in college because he came in right away like that. He’s on everything. He’s one of the bigger competitors that I’ve seen coming in as a rookie, and every day he is doing as much as he can on and off the field. That’s why he’s passing a lot of guys up."
It’s not just about attitude—Stout’s physical tools are impressive, too. At the NFL combine in February, he bench pressed 225 pounds an eye-popping 21 times and ran the 40-yard dash in 4.44 seconds. Only one other defensive back in this year’s class matched his combination of strength and speed. During his final season at Western Kentucky in 2024, Stout proved his versatility, logging snaps at slot cornerback, outside linebacker, safety, outside cornerback, and even inside linebacker. Most remarkably, he did not allow a single touchdown as the nearest defender in coverage during his last two college seasons.
But standing at 5-foot-9 and weighing 181 pounds, Stout faces questions about his ability to withstand the physicality of the NFL, especially when matched up against bigger blockers. Saleh, for one, isn’t concerned. "Don’t fall asleep on his size," Saleh said. "I mean, 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."
Stout’s drive is evident to everyone in the building. Defensive backs coach Daniel Bullocks recounted finding Stout in the meeting room early one morning, studying tape of Williams from the 2018 season. Cornerbacks coach Ray Brown asked Stout what fuels his obsession with improvement. Stout’s answer? He refuses to let someone like Fred Warner outwork him. "[Stout said], ‘I got to work, that guy can’t outdo me,’" Brown recalled. "And so that’s how he looks at everything. He’s always in there. He’s always asking questions. And at night when we’re done with everything and we’re wrapping up, he still got questions, so we’re going to spend an extra hour answering his questions."
As the 49ers approach their September 7 opener against the Seattle Seahawks, there’s a real chance that as many as five rookies could be in the starting lineup. That’s a tall order for any team, and it’s one reason why Shanahan has tempered expectations this year. In a recent radio appearance, Shanahan stated, "My whole goal is that we get better throughout the year and find a way to hopefully get into those playoffs." It’s a subtle but significant shift from the days when the Niners openly chased the NFC’s top seed and home-field advantage.
With so many young faces, Shanahan knows there will be bumps in the road. Key defensive stalwarts like Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, and Deommodore Lenoir anchor the unit, but beyond them, there are plenty of unknowns. On offense, quarterback Brock Purdy, running back Christian McCaffrey, and tight end George Kittle remain the stars, but injuries and depth are ongoing concerns. Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk may not return until Week 6, and Jauan Jennings is battling both a calf injury and a contract dispute. The offensive line, outside of stalwart left tackle Trent Williams, is another question mark.
Some commentators have called the 2025 schedule one of the easiest they’ve ever seen, but players like Kittle aren’t buying into the hype. He’s well aware that every game in the NFL has to be earned, and nothing comes easy—no matter what the schedule says. Shanahan, for his part, seems to envision a season that mirrors 2021, when the 49ers struggled early, found their rhythm late, and made a thrilling playoff run before falling just short of the Super Bowl.
So, what does it all mean for the faithful in the Bay Area? The 49ers are entering 2025 with a blend of hope and realism. The emergence of rookies like Upton Stout could be the X-factor that helps the team weather early adversity and find its stride as the season progresses. Stout’s story, in particular, offers a glimpse into the kind of grit and determination that has defined this franchise for decades.
As the countdown to kickoff continues, all eyes are on Santa Clara. Will the 49ers’ gamble on youth pay off? Can Stout and his fellow rookies rise to the occasion and help propel the team back to the postseason? One thing’s for sure: with a roster hungry to prove itself and a coaching staff committed to steady improvement, the journey promises to be anything but boring.
For now, the 49ers are hard at work, grinding through training camp, answering questions, and preparing for whatever the 2025 season throws their way. The sky just might be the limit for this new-look squad.
