Fresno State RB Josh Hokit breaks a tackle during the 2019 season.
Ten of the San Francisco 49ers’ newest players had their jersey numbers released on Monday.
The Niners updated their roster page with numbers for the 10 undrafted free agents, leaving Trent Williams as the sole player on the roster without an official number.
#49ers jersey numbers for undrafted rookies:
5 – QB Broc Rutter
7 – WR Chris Finke
35 – RB Salvon Ahmed
38 – JaMycal Hasty
43 – S Jared Mayden
47 – LB Jonas Griffith
49 – CB DeMarkus Acy
49 – FB Josh Hokit
65 – DL Darrion Daniels
83 – TE Chase Harrell
Certain numbers and choices stand out, such as quarterback Broc Rutter from Division III’s North Central College. The previous player to wear No. 5 for San Francisco was 2015 NFL Draft fifth-round selection Bradley Pinion, who left the team after the 2018 season to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
However, No. 5 is more likely to remind 49ers fans of Jeff Garcia, the former three-time Pro Bowl QB who played for the 49ers between 1999 and 2003. Garcia threw for 16,408 yards and 113 touchdowns while with San Francisco.
Hitting those kinds of numbers would be a dream scenario for Rutter, but he’ll hope to avoid a similar ending to Garcia’s time with the Niners.
Maiocco also brought up another interesting aspect of the number release.
Chase Harrell spent three years at Kansas and two at Arkansas, seeing a handful of starts at wide receiver for the Jayhawks and two starts at tight end for the Razorbacks.
Harrell’s shift to tight end came after two full seasons as a receiver, which saw the Huffman, Texas native total 30 receptions for 302 yards. His time as a Razorback tight end was less productive through the air, ending his time with Arkansas with seven receptions, 94 yards and a touchdown.
A stellar performance at Arkansas’ pro day helped raise his relevancy as a potential NFL player, which included Harrell’s performances in defensive line drills.
Arkansas TE Chase Harrell put on a show during his Pro Day. This took place before the lock down, so it was an actual pro day and not a virtual one
36″ vertical
10’7″ broad jump
4.51 forty
4.21 short shuttle
6.76 three cone
Being labeled a tight end and given a receiving number accordingly, it seems highly unlikely that Harrell will transition out of that role, but he has had extensive time as a special teams player while in college, so it could be something to watch.
The last notable aspect of the release is Josh Hokit’s designation as a fullback being followed up by the No. 49, which also happens to be cornerback DeMarkus Acy’s new number.
Mentioned in our recent breakdown of the Niners’ UDFA running backs, Hokit was never an out-and-out fullback for Fresno State during his time as a Bulldog, and instead provided a similar role as a bruising alternative in the Fresno backfield.
This saw Hokit finish his senior season with nine touchdowns on just 75 carries as the 6-1, 225-pound back broke through in his last year of college.
It’s not a surprise that Hokit is being prepared as a FB, but it’s an added hint in the still-developing puzzle that is 49ers’ final 53-man roster. The less direct competition Hokit has with RBs Raheem Mostert, Tevin Coleman and Jerick McKinnon, the more likely it is that the Clovis, California native makes the final roster.
Which number do you like best? Head to Heavy on 49ers and let your voice be heard.
Evan Reier is a sportswriter covering the San Francisco 49ers for Heavy.com and local sports for the Montana Standard in Butte, MT. Reach out to him on Twitter at @evanreier and join our 49ers community at Heavy on 49ers on Facebook.