It's certainly one of those names that stands out just because it's not the kind you hear all that often: Upton Stout.
San Francisco 49ers fans may be hearing that name a lot more here in short order.
Stout is a rookie for the 'Niners, and potentially a starter at the nickel spot for Week 1 against the Seahawks.
"Buzz about Stout coming out of 49ers camp grew steadily all summer," writes The Athletic's Jourdan Rodrigue. "The 5-foot-8, 180-pound nickel cornerback may be starting in his rookie season and brought a necessary energy to practices in early August. From an NFC executive: “Quick. Athletic. Instinctive in coverage and aggressive in run support. Plays bigger than his size suggests due to wiry strength and consistent toughness. Above all, he’s a fierce competitor.”
MORE: Derrick Henry reveals his retirement plans
Stout, technically Upton Stout III, was a third-round pick by the 49ers.
He started his college career at North Texas after growing up in Houston. He finished up at Western Kentucky.
In his final two seasons at WKU, Stout was named a first-team FCS All-American.
MORE: Johnny Manziel reveals crazy NSFW hatred for Cleveland Browns
He began his Western Kentucky career by returning an interception for a touchdown in his first game. He had four picks that first season. He missed five games in 2023 because of injury but added another pick-six.
He considered transferring for his last campaign but stayed at WKU and had 7.5 tackles for loss and another interception.
At the NFL Combine, Stout ran a 4.44-second 40-yard dash and had a vertical leap of 37.5 inches.
He'll likely start inside while Renardo Green and Deommodore Lenoir get the outside corner spots. It could be the start to a long NFL career for Stout.
MORE NFL NEWS:
- This Ravens rookie was a star in his college rocket club
- This Shedeur Sanders and Arch Manning comparison makes a lot of sense
- Saints just signed their next Taysom Hill
- Myles Garrett has been offered the chance to play a different sport
- Devin Hester Jr. is great at returns, but he isn't the Bears' Hall of Famer's son
- Commanders' Jacory Croskey-Merritt fell to 7th round for wild NCAA reason