At South Carolina, quarterback Dylan Thompson was a success story.
As a senior in 2014, Thompson led the Southeastern Conference with 3,564 yards passing (a school record) and had 26 touchdown passes.
But Thompson, who is 6-foot-3 and 218 pounds, went undrafted.
He was signed by the 49ers as a free agent and has impressed the coaching staff with his work ethic and skills.
But can he make the 49ers roster?
That seems a long shot.
Barring an injury, Thompson ranks No. 3 on the current roster behind starter Colin Kaepernick and backup Blaine Gabbert. Plus, the 49ers could add another veteran free agent between now and the starting of training camp in July for an extra arm and added experience.
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Yet the 49ers are intrigued by Thompson.
“He’s got those intangibles,” said new head coach Jim Tomsula after a recent 49ers practice. “Then you watch the tape (and) this guy can throw a football around. He spins it. We’re excited about him. We really are.”
His draft profile by Lance Zierlein on NFL.com, however, points out that Thompson still has much to learn. Although he’s credited with having a strong arm, an ability to throw deep and has good size, his footwork is described as being “an absolute mess.”
“Has issues getting feet set on many throws and compounds issue by short-arming throw. Inaccurate, with tendency to sail the ball or throw behind receiver. Below average (in) leading receivers to give them a chance to pick up yards after catch.”
Thompson was the only quarterback on the field for the 49ers’ recent three-day rookie minicamp. According to Tomsula, Thompson’s arm held up well to the challenge.
But his real test will come soon, during organized team activities (OTAs), full-roster minicamp and summer camp. If he can work out his footwork and technical problems with offensive coordinator Geep Chryst and quarterbacks coach Steve Logan, he could prosper and perhaps earn a spot on the 49ers’ scout team.
His former South Carolina teammates – rookie running back Mike Davis, rookie tight end Busta Anderson and second-year wideout Bruce Ellington – all believe in Thompson as a player and person.
“Dylan is a great guy,”Anderson told Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com. “A great guy. … We’ve built a close relationship over the last four years. So just being able to be here with him and my other teammates is just a blessing.”
