San Francisco 49ers Star Turns Heads With Strong Praise for Undrafted Rookie

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Isaiah Neyor participates in a drill during the NFL Scouting Combine on March 01, 2025.

Throughout San Francisco 49ers superstar tight end George Kittle’s appearance on the “Bussin with the Boys” podcast alongside hosts Taylor Lewan and Will Compton, he gave updates on several of his teammates.

That included star running back Christian McCaffrey, former 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel, and some fun tidbits on fullback Kyle Juszczyk.

But the most insightful comments that Kittle had to offer were on undrafted rookie wide receiver Isaiah Neyor.

Neyor came up when Compton and Kittle were discussing Nebraska players on the 49ers; Compton attended Nebraska and Kittle went to rival Iowa.

Kittle gave a huge shoutout to Neyor, and it’s pretty clear from his comments that Neyor is making a big impression with 49ers brass.

“He’s a freak,” Kittle said about Neyor. “He was running a route and he got nine and a half yards in two strides. It was insane. We watched it ten times in the TE room. We were like ‘how is he doing this?’”

Kittle also made his case to the 49ers to keep Neyor around any way they can.

“At the bare minimum he should make the practice squad. He’s a freak,” Kittle said.

Neyor Had An Up and Down Collegiate Career

Isaiah Neyor never really fully realized his potential in college, but he showed flashes of stardom here and there.

Neyor started his collegiate career back in 2019 with Wyoming. After playing in only one game as a true freshman and making only 8 catches in the pandemic shortened 2020 season, Neyor broke out in 2021, hauling in 44 catches for 878 yards and 12 touchdowns. His 20 yards per catch ratio and 12 touchdown mark both led the Mountain West, earning Neyor a spot on the All-Mountain West first team.

But then, Neyor transferred to Texas and his career stalled. He tore his ACL and missed all of the 2022 season, then played only one game in 2023.

Seeking to resurrect his career, Neyor went to Nebraska in 2024. He was able to establish himself as a consistent part of the Cornhusker offense with his best season since 2021. He totaled a respectable 455 receiving yards.

Neyor doesn’t have the consistent numbers, but at 6 feet 4 inches tall, 218 pounds and with a 4.40 40 yard dash, it makes sense that Kittle felt he had “freak” physical skills.

#49ers UDFA WR Isaiah Neyor showing off his length to snag a deep throw in rookie minicamp 🫴

That was enough for the 49ers to give him a shot as an undrafted free agent. But will it be enough for the 49ers to put him on the 53 man roster to open the 2025 season?

Does Neyor Fit in the 49ers Wideout Room?

The 49ers are crowded with wide receivers who have the potential for stardom. But most of them are far from proven.

With Brandon Aiyuk hurt and potentially still unhappy in San Francisco, the 49ers have no proven NFL receivers to open the season beyond Jauan Jennings.

Opportunities will first be offered to guys like 2024 first round pick Ricky Pearsall and 2025 4th round pick Jordan Watkins. But if Neyor can prove himself, especially in preseason game action, there is lots of opportunity to be bought up amongst this 49ers receiving core with a void at the top.

It will take Neyor putting together consistent production in the actual games, which he struggled to do sometimes in college.

What do you think, 49ers fans? Will Isaiah Neyor make the opening day roster?

Ethan Inman is a sports journalist covering the San Francisco 49ers and Las Vegas Raiders for heavy.com. He also co-hosts a college football podcast for The Voice of College Football, and writes about the NBA and MLB. He has previously covered the USC Trojans, the NHL, college baseball, and the intersection of sports and popular culture for other publications. He is based in the greater Los Angeles area. More about Ethan Inman