The San Francisco 49ers rookie class took the field for their first official practice on Friday as the team kicked off its rookie minicamp at SAP Performance Facility.
The session featured the 49ers coaching staff, including Pro Football Hall of Famer Patrick Willis, alongside the team’s 2026 draft picks, undrafted rookie free agents, and several practice squad players, as the newest members of the organization began their first NFL reps.
Before practice, the 49ers announced they had signed six of the team’s eight 2026 draft picks to four-year deals, including wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling, running back Kaelon Black, offensive lineman Carver Willis, cornerback Ephesians Prysock, linebacker Jaden Dugger, and offensive lineman Enrique Cruz Jr.
The team also signed seven undrafted rookie free agents: tight end Khalil Dinkins, defensive lineman Bryson Eason, wide receiver Wesley Grimes, defensive lineman Mikail Kamara, wide receiver Will Pauling, safety Jalen Stroman, and defensive lineman James Thompson Jr.
Friday marked the first opportunity for the rookies to experience life as an NFL player, from stepping into the locker room to practicing in a 49ers jersey for the first time.
“It was fun,” Black said after practice. “I was just glad to be back out there on the field. I’m just real blessed to be a pro now and I’m looking forward to taking it a step further.”
Black said the reality of becoming a member of the 49ers fully hit him when he walked into the locker room and saw his setup next to All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner.
“They put my locker right next to Fred Warner, so I was just like, man, it’s real,” Black said. “So I’m really here. I’m just ready to ball.”
The rookie running back also expressed confidence in his fit within San Francisco’s offense and is eager to learn from the veterans in the running back room.
“I feel like I’m a great fit,” Black said. “I’m just looking forward to growing with guys like Christian McCaffrey, Jordan James, and Isaac Guerendo.”
Black added that several 49ers veterans have already welcomed him to the team, including McCaffrey, Warner, Brock Purdy, and George Kittle. He also reunited with former Indiana teammate Kurtis Rourke at practice.
“That was just like old times,” Black said of catching passes from Rourke during practice. “Just learn, take it all in, and then go back and watch the film and get better. That’s the only way that you will get better.”
As the 49ers rookie minicamp wraps up, the organization’s newest players will continue adjusting to the NFL level both on and off the field.
