The San Francisco 49ers’ rookies officially stepped onto the practice field for the first time this Friday as part of the team’s rookie minicamp held at the SAP Performance Facility.
The session brought together the 49ers’ coaching staff, including Pro Football Hall of Famer Patrick Willis, along with the team’s 2026 NFL Draft picks, undrafted rookie free agents, and several practice squad players. It marked the first NFL practice experience for the newest members of the organization.
Before hitting the field, the 49ers announced they had signed six of their eight 2026 draft picks to four-year contracts. The signees include wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling, running back Kaelon Black, offensive linemen Carver Willis and Enrique Cruz Jr., cornerback Ephesians Prysock, and linebacker Jaden Dugger.
The team also inked seven undrafted rookie free agents: tight end Khalil Dinkins, defensive linemen Bryson Eason, Mikail Kamara, and James Thompson Jr., wide receivers Wesley Grimes and Will Pauling, and safety Jalen Stroman.
This Friday gave these newcomers their first taste of NFL life, from entering the locker room to practicing in a 49ers uniform for the first time.
“It was fun,” Black said after practice. “I was really happy to be back on the field. I’m truly blessed to be a pro now, and I’m already eager to take it a step further.”
Black said the reality of becoming a 49er hit him when he walked into the locker room and saw his stall next to All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner.
“They put my locker right next to Fred Warner’s, so I was thinking, wow, this is real,” Black said. “I’m really here now. I’m ready to play.”
The rookie running back also expressed confidence in how he fits into San Francisco’s offense and is eager to learn from the veterans in the running back room.
“I feel like I fit in really well,” Black said. “I’m already looking forward to growing with players 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 his Indiana University teammate Kurtis Rourke during practice.
“It was like old times,” Black said of catching passes from Rourke at practice.
“You just have to learn, soak it all in, then watch the film and get better,” Black said. “That’s the only way to improve.”
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.