San Francisco 49ers rookie defensive tackle Alfred Collins continues to grab the attention of one of the team’s offensive superstars.
Tight end George Kittle after the 49ers’ Week 11 win over the Arizona Cardinals heaped unprompted praise on the rookie second-round pick. He lauded the 24-year-old for his effort and said Collins is his favorite defensive player to watch.
Advertisement
That could easily be written off as a veteran player just hyping up a young player, but then Kittle once again after Sunday’s win over the Cleveland Browns was effusive in his praise of the rising star defensive tackle.
“I cannot get over Alfred Collins,” Kittle said according to ESPN’s Nick Wagoner. “I just think he’s such a good player and you just see his effort out there. If you guys watch the all 22, I just think he’s making so many plays and so much effort and so much hustle and I’m just so proud of him.”
Collins’ rise is much-needed for the banged up 49ers defense, but it’s also a little surprising given how slow Collins’ start was. He missed the team’s offseason program because of a calf injury, and then was largely underwhelming in camp and the preseason.
Typically rookies who fall behind the curve early need extra time to catch up before breaking out, but Collins just needed some regular season reps. His statistical production hasn’t been enormous with just 10 tackles through his first 11 games. However, his effort is clear and he is consistently around the ball or making his way into the backfield to redirect run plays.
Advertisement
The 49ers would love to see Collins eventually match statistical output with his hidden production. For now, though, it’s hard to make a better case for Collins’ growth as a player better than the one Kittle has now made twice in three weeks.
More 49ers: 49ers vs. Browns highlights: SF secures terrific road win
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers rookies: George Kittle praises Alfred Collins again
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com
