Shanahan and running backs coach Bobby Turner fought hard to convince general manager John Lynch to take a flier on Williams in the fourth round. Even then, it still took a phone call between Lynch and the Utah Utes product to convince him.
After he was drafted, Williams was viewed as a potential replacement for Carlos Hyde, who was entering the final year of his rookie contract. Williams did not play during his rookie season and was placed on injured reserve with an ankle injury before the start of the season.
Cam Inman of Bay Area News Group joined the latest installment of the No Huddle Podcast to talk San Francisco 49ers football with Al Sacco and Zain Naqvi. Part of the discussion surrounded Williams, who is fighting for a roster spot with the 49ers. Could the second-year running back be part of the 53-man roster cut-down on September 1?
"If he does, it's only because he just dogs it the next couple of weeks," says Inman. "He's had a really good camp. He's made the most of his opportunities, I would say. He did fumble once a couple of days ago. You can't be doing that. But he's so quick guys.
"If he looks like he's hustling and in-tune, then okay, I'll give, but in spring, I saw him just at one point in practice, and he was kind of walking back to the huddle, and I'm like, 'You can't do that.' I mean, you're on red alert right now where everything you're doing body-language-wise, they're watching you.
"It's not just running. I don't know what goes on in the classroom so I can't comment on that, but I saw him on the practice field and was like, 'You've got to hustle better.'
"He's gotten that message now from not me but from coaches. It looks like he's come into camp with the mindset, 'I've got something to prove, and I want to be here,' which is great."
You can listen to the latest No Huddle Podcast episode below, from our dedicated podcast page, on iTunes, Google Play, or SoundCloud.
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers' Jauan Jennings training with renowned receivers coach this offseason
While the San Francisco 49ers struggled to secure just six wins last season, Jauan Jennings had his most productive campaign to date. He set career highs in targets (113), receptions (77), receiving yards (975), and touchdowns (6). Now entering the final year of his contract,... -
49ers hosting Walter Nolen and Mykel Williams on pre-draft visits
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that the San Francisco 49ers are among the teams scheduled to host Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen on a pre-draft visit. #OleMiss DT Walter Nolen, one of the Draft's top players at his position, is visiting the #Bengals today,... -
49ers hold pre-draft interview with UCF CB BJ Adams
The San Francisco 49ers recently conducted a virtual interview with UCF cornerback BJ Adams, continuing their pre-draft evaluations. The team initially met with Adams at the NFL Scouting Combine in February. According to Justin Melo of The Draft Network, the 49ers are among... -
49ers surpass Ravens for rushing records after NFL incorporates AAFC stats
The 2019 Baltimore Ravens rushed for an impressive 3,296 yards during the regular season, setting what was then the NFL record for most rushing yards in a single season—until now. This week, the NFL announced it would begin incorporating statistics from the All-America...