49ers sign LB Stone Blanton to a 3-year deal

The San Francisco 49ers announced they have signed linebacker Stone Blanton to a three-year contract.

The 49ers Communications staff provided the following rundown.

Blanton (6-1, 227) joins the 49ers as an undrafted free agent out of Mississippi State University. Over three collegiate seasons at Mississippi State (2024) and the University of South Carolina (2022–23), he appeared in 36 games (24 starts) and totaled 184 tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss, seven passes defensed, three forced fumbles, 1.5 sacks, one interception, and one fumble recovery.

In 2024, Blanton started all 12 games for Mississippi State, recording 125 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, three passes defensed, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and 0.5 sack. The previous season at South Carolina, he started 12 games and finished with 52 tackles, 1.0 sack, one interception, and one forced fumble. As a true freshman in 2022, he appeared in 12 games and recorded seven tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and one pass defensed.

A 22-year-old native of Madison, MS, Blanton attended Madison-Ridgeland Academy, where he registered 285 tackles, 47.5 tackles for loss, 19.0 sacks, five passes defensed, and one fumble recovery during his high school career.

"Two-year starter at inside linebacker with very good instincts but athletic limitations," analyst Lance Zierlein wrote in his draft profile for NFL.com. "Blanton is quick to read keys and flows to the runner with good timing. He can slip blocks or stick and move during take-ons. However, his pursuit burst in space is below average and he misses too many tackles. He can spot drop and feel receivers around him but he's not much of a blitzer on passing downs. He has a high football IQ but will need to prove himself on special teams to improve his chances of making a roster."