George Kittle raves over 49ers rookie ‘freak’

Neyor’s name came up as Will Compton and George Kittle discussed Nebraska players on the 49ers roster—Compton being a Nebraska alum and Kittle having played at rival Iowa. Kittle gave Neyor a strong endorsement, and his remarks made it clear that the undrafted rookie is turning heads within the 49ers organization.

“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 continued.

Isaiah Neyor with the 49ers

Neyor never quite lived up to his full potential in college, but he offered glimpses of what he could become. He began his collegiate journey at Wyoming in 2019, seeing action in just one game as a true freshman and making only eight catches during the COVID-shortened 2020 season.

Then came his breakout year in 2021, when Neyor recorded 44 receptions for 878 yards and 12 touchdowns. He led the Mountain West in both yards per catch (20.0) and receiving touchdowns, earning All-Mountain West First Team honors.

But after transferring to Texas, Neyor’s career hit a roadblock. He tore his ACL and missed the entire 2022 season, then appeared in just one game in 2023. Hoping for a fresh start, Neyor transferred to Nebraska in 2024, where he finally found some rhythm again. He carved out a steady role in the Cornhuskers’ offense and posted his best numbers since his breakout year, finishing with a solid 455 receiving yards.

When Lewan asked the longtime 49ers tight end whether Neyor had a shot at making the roster, Kittle gave a confident response. Neyor might face long odds, but the 49ers have built a reputation for discovering overlooked talent—just look at how Brock Purdy rose through the ranks. At the very least, the 24-year-old wide receiver is giving the coaching staff something to think about with his strong showing.