49ers impressed by Romello Height’s edge-rush readiness

Romello Height’s long, winding college path is landing him exactly where the 49ers want him: chasing quarterbacks. Defensive line coach Kris Kocurek says the rookie pass rusher’s speed, explosion off the snap, and natural movement have stood out during offseas

On the San Francisco practice fields this offseason, the 49ers have been watching one rookie closely: Romello Height. They drafted him in the third round this year, but it wasn’t a typical rookie story. Height was already 25 years old when the pick was made. and his journey to the NFL has been a long one.

Before arriving at this point, Height initially committed to Miami. He then enrolled at Auburn, before transferring to USC. He transferred again to Georgia Tech and, for a final college stop, moved once more to Texas Tech.

Now. the 49ers are evaluating what all that movement has helped him build—because defensive line coach Kris Kocurek likes what he’s seeing from Height as offseason practices continue. Kocurek pointed to “just the speed. athleticism. his explosion on get-off. and then. just natural pass rush ability.” In his view. it’s been “really impressive so far. ” even with the important caveat that the team is “not in pads or anything yet.” The real test. Kocurek said. will come when pads are on and the game becomes less about feel and more about impact.

Kocurek also described Height as an edge rusher who looks like he belongs there. “At the end of the day. we drafted him to rush the passer. ” he said. adding that Height “really excelled at that.” The coach singled out his get-off as a major reason for the early optimism. saying it’s been “really. really good.”.

That quick burst off the snap. Kocurek believes. helps create the kind of disruption the 49ers want—one that forces tackles into difficult situations. With his get-off. Kocurek said Height is able to put blockers “behind the eight ball. ” make them “set differently and protect differently. ” and then get into position “quickly.”.

There’s another piece the 49ers keep coming back to: how hard Height is working and how he carries himself while doing it. Kocurek said he’s seen “just the work ethic that he brings in. ” and that Height “works really. really hard.” The coach also praised “the energy that he plays with. ” describing the rookie as having “just the whole package. ” and he left no doubt about the feeling in the building: “Excited about him.”.

Height has been around a lot of different environments. and the 49ers believe that experience has helped him show up prepared. For now. the early signs are positive—speed. athleticism. explosion off the line. and a pass-rush feel that has already caught coaching attention. The next step is straightforward. and it’s the one that will define everything: how well that readiness translates when the pads come on.

49ers Romello Height Kris Kocurek NFL pass rusher offseason practices third round pick Texas Tech Georgia Tech USC Auburn Miami