Turns out, Greenlaw has never been to California.
"I've never been to California," Greenlaw admitted on a conference call with Bay Area reporters shortly after being selected by San Francisco. "I've been to Oregon, but never been to California, so I am excited."
The Niners' selection process of Greenlaw was pretty interesting. He participated in the 2019 Senior Bowl and reportedly had a lot of contact with 49ers linebackers coach DeMeco Ryans, which led Greenlaw to believe the team was seriously interested. Yet San Francisco canceled a 30-minute meeting with Greenlaw, which left a sour taste in the linebacker's mouth.
"I was supposed to go down for a 30 visit with them," Greenlaw explained. "And they canceled the 30 visit, and that really hurt my heart, and I was like, I thought then that it was done, and it panned out they still wanted me. I'm blessed."
According to general manager John Lynch, cancelling the meeting with Greenlaw was all part of the elusive "smoke and mirrors" planning all too common in the days and weeks leading up to the NFL Draft.
"You guys are good, too," Lynch said when asked about cancelling Greenlaw's meeting with the Niners. "I don't know how you figure out all these visits, but you do. So, we have to kind of keep everyone guessing, and frankly we had had the exposure at the Senior Bowl. We felt good with the interview we had at Indy and felt like we had seen enough."
Good enough to grab Greenlaw in Round 5.
It's likely Greenlaw winds up providing both primary backup services to linebackers Fred Warner and Kwon Alexander heading into training camp and the preseason. Alexander, who suffered a torn ACL in 2018, is a player Greenlaw is looking forward to working with.
"Yes, I'm very familiar with Kwon Alexander," Greenlaw said. "I know he's just got there this year, and I know he's a great athlete and a great linebacker, and I'm ready to learn as much as possible I'm ready to absorb it all."
Written By:
Peter Panacy has been writing about the 49ers since 2011 for outlets like Bleacher Report, Niner Noise, 49ers Webzone, and is occasionally heard as a guest on San Francisco's 95.7 FM The Game and the Niners' flagship station, KNBR 680. Feel free to follow him, or direct any inquiries to his Twitter account.
All articles by Peter Panacy
Peter Panacy
Peter Panacy has been writing about the 49ers since 2011 for outlets like Bleacher Report, Niner Noise, 49ers Webzone, and is occasionally heard as a guest on San Francisco's 95.7 FM The Game and the Niners' flagship station, KNBR 680. Feel free to follow him, or direct any inquiries to his Twitter account.
All articles by Peter Panacy
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers' Kyle Shanahan shares positive update on Dre Greenlaw, discusses return timeline
The San Francisco 49ers are encouraged by linebacker Dre Greenlaw's progress as he works his way back from a torn Achilles suffered in February. While Greenlaw remains on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, head coach Kyle Shanahan expressed optimism about the... -
49ers open Dre Greenlaw's practice window
The San Francisco 49ers have officially opened linebacker Dre Greenlaw's 21-day practice window, giving the team until Wednesday, December 18, to activate him from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. The San Francisco 49ers today announced they have opened the... -
John Lynch: 49ers thrilled about Dre Greenlaw's return
The San Francisco 49ers plan to open linebacker Dre Greenlaw's practice window this week, paving the way for his highly anticipated return to the field. Greenlaw is slated to join his teammates at practice on Wednesday, providing a significant boost to the defense, even if his... -
Brock Purdy throws, trending well; Dre Greenlaw to practice this week; Other 49ers injury updates
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke with reporters via a conference call on Monday, providing several injury updates following the team's 38-10 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Quarterback Brock Purdy engaged in light throwing on Monday morning, a positive step in...