With three draft picks in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft, the San Francisco 49ers addressed the tight end position. With the No. 101 overall pick in the 2023 draft, John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan landed on former Bryce Young target Cameron Latu.
In his rookie training camp, Latu gets to learn from one of the most accomplished tight ends in all of football, George Kittle. Following practice on Tuesday, the rookie pass catcher spoke about his learning process and how Kittle has helped him learn early in camp.
I was at Alabama for five years, I’ve been here for about less than five months. It’s coming faster for me now that I understand the game of football as a tight end. Getting coached by Coach Fleury — very good coach. Got guys like George Kittle, Ross Dwelley, Charlie Woerner, Troy [Fumagalli] — guys that are just vets that can help me along the way — understand the game. How to play in different scenarios that they’ve been in on every play. So, I’m just trying to slow the game down for myself.
He’s [Kittle] been a tremendous help — just by vision of the game. What he sees on the field and how he translates it into the film room so I can understand it. That’s what I mean when I think too much. I’m just trying to do a lot of different stuff that I’m just getting thrown at me, and I’m just trying to be perfect. It’s one day at a time. We are going to work through it and get better every day.
Via @NBCS49ers on Twitter:
Cameron Latu is learning a lot from the People's Tight End pic.twitter.com/SqbttgY3bS
— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) August 8, 2023
In his final season under Nick Saban at Alabama, Latu recorded 30 catches for 377 yards and four touchdowns in 11 games. In his junior season in Tuscaloosa, the former linebacker turned tight end put together his best college season with 26 receptions for 410 yards and eight touchdowns for the Tide.
With most of the 49ers’ tight end position covered by proven veterans, Latu should have a chance to make an impression in the 49ers’ upcoming preseason opener against the Las Vegas Raiders in Sin City. Following a set of joint practices, the 49ers are set to meet the Raiders on Sunday at 1 p.m. PT.
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