49ers rookie RB Guerendo draws attention early with intangibles

49ers rookie RB Guerendo draws attention early with intangibles originally appeared in NBC Sports Bay Area

SANTA CLARA – Rookie running back Issac Guerendo answered the call literally and figuratively when the 49ers played throughout the development process.

The speedy ball carrier was in constant contact with running backs coach Bobby Turner, who believes a prospect’s abilities on the field are just as important as his behavior off it. But above all, Guerendo has a very important characteristic that the venerable coach knew the team needed.

“We were looking for speed,” Turner told NBC Sports Bay Area. “He has speed and is bigger. He weighs 221-222 pounds. We needed another fast runner in our offense. During my interview process leading up to this, the first thing I saw on tape was the ability to break up long runs and take it home, hit the home run.”

Guerendo spent four seasons at the University of Wisconsin before transferring to the University of Louisville, where he flourished, recording 132 rushing attempts for 810 yards and 11 touchdowns and 22 receptions for 234 yards for the Cardinals last season.

Before the draft, Guerendo showed off his speed to the league at the NFL Scouting Combine, where he ran an impressive 4.33 40-yard dash – the fastest of any running back in attendance.

“During my interview process leading up to this,” Turner said. “The first thing I saw on tape was the ability to break up long runs and take it home, hit the home run. I saw it on tape.

“At the time I didn’t know he was the fastest, but I knew he could run and I knew he had size. And then when I was talking to him, he was very detailed. He understood what I was asking and was able to explain.”

This season will be Turner’s 52nd year as a coach and while several things have changed since he began his coaching journey, some elements remain the same. One is the requirement that all of your defenders know the specific role of all 11 players on the field in each play.

“I also want the player to know what the person next to him is doing,” Turner said. “In other words, ‘What are the offensive line’s duties? Who are the handlers? What is their most important block on this play?’

“[Also] being able to run with your eyes, have great vision. And then, when there’s daylight, being able to hit the hole and make the big play. I was overwhelmed by this whole ordeal.”

Turner was excited to see how the 49ers used their 2024 fourth-round pick (No. 129), so much so that he called Guerendo during his first interview with local media to tell him how happy he was for the team’s newest member.

The rookie will have a lot to prove in a very talented room that includes the reigning Offensive Player of the Year – Christian McCaffrey, Elijah Mitchell and Jordan Mason. Turner believes Guerendo’s speed and coachability make him a valuable addition to the team.

“He’s going to have to be able to do it all,” Turner said. “But when you’re coachable, and I feel and know that I can coach him to make him do the extra things even better, then he can be a better runner because we’re looking for certain things.

“You just can’t throw anyone behind in that system that we run. I never believed that. We have a lot of time and work to make that system work. With all that time and effort, if you have the right to run there, then it seems easy.”

Guerendo returns to the field on Wednesday for the club’s second series of OTAs.

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