The San Francisco 49ers officially welcomed their 2026 rookie class on Thursday as minicamp commenced at Levi’s® Stadium in Santa Clara. Day one focused on onboarding essentials—physical exams, team meetings, and equipment fittings—before on-field workouts begin Friday.
For many first-year players, stepping into the 49ers headquarters marked the start of a long-cherished dream.
“Whenever I step on the field, it’s a different feeling,” said rookie defensive lineman Romello Height, describing his passion for the game. “It’s where I can show how much I love football. My motor, I’ve had it since middle school. It carried through college, and I hope to keep that same motor here.”
Height noted that he is especially eager to learn from veterans like Nick Bosa as he embarks on his NFL career.
“Picking his brain and seeing how he handles things—his film study, how he approaches going up against tackles—it’s a huge deal. I just take it day by day, stack days, and that’ll tell me where I’ll be,” Height added.
Linebacker Jaden Dugger also highlighted the opportunity to study under elite defenders such as Fred Warner and linebackers coach K.J. Wright.
“I’m always studying the best,” Dugger said. “Being around him [Warner] every day now, I get to learn from him.”
Dugger mentioned that the rookie class has already built chemistry through pre-draft connections and recent travels to the Bay Area.
“We talked a lot and saw each other at the airport. It was good to catch up,” he added.
Offensive lineman Carver Willis shared that his approach entering minicamp is to contribute in any way possible, carrying that mindset into his first NFL season.
“I want to contribute to the highest capacity possible,” Willis said. “Whatever role the coaches put me in, I’ll do my best. That’s all I ask of myself. Show up every day, be the same person. At U-Dub, we had a saying: invest unconditionally into the team. That’s what I’m all about—showing up, being my best every day, doing whatever is asked.”
The 49ers rookie class will continue minicamp with practice beginning Friday at the SAP Performance Facility, where first-year players will take the field together for the first time in red and gold.
