49ers: Ranking all 10 undrafted free agent signings
By Nico Di Fede
10. Chase Harrell, TE, Arkansas
Chase Harell is a player you cannot find much information on. He started his college career at Kansas but transferred to Arkansas following the 2017 season. He played wide receiver for both teams until 2019 where he transitioned to tight end.
Harrell’s only remotely productive season came as a sophomore in 2017 for Kansas. He caught 25 receptions for 221 yards and three touchdowns.
As a senior he caught a mere three receptions for 34 yards and a single touchdown despite appearing in all 12 games, starting two.
What probably intrigued the 49ers was his Pro Day. Harrell was considered the star of the Razorbacks’ Pro Day, posting a 4.51 40-yard dash a 10’7” broad jump, and a 36-inch vertical jump. In the drills, he worked out as both a tight end and defensive end.
It will be interesting to see which position the 49ers have in mind for him, though I’d assume it will be tight end. Either way, Harrell is a long shot to make the roster and will have to show to the coaches what wasn’t apparent based on his lack of production in college.
9. Broc Rutter, QB, North Central College
An FCS Divison-III prospect, Broc Rutter is one of the most prolific passers in Division-III history. In 2019 he won the Division III equivalent to the Heisman trophy, the Gagliardi Trophy Award.
This was after a season he completed 71 percent of his passes going for a total of 4591 yards and 56 touchdowns. He only threw five interceptions. His 14,265 career passing yards are the most all-time within Division-III, as are his 44 games with at least 200 passing yards.
Despite the accolades and records, even FCS Division-I play has a huge dip in talent compared to FBS play, and even FBS play is a huge step down in speed and talent from the NFL. So imagine the gap in play-speed and talent level between Division-III and the FBS, let alone the NFL.
In an offseason where there may be a reduced training camp, if any at all, it will be tough not only for Rutter to adjust to the speed difference but even to learn the offense in the first place.
Because of that, it is highly unlikely he will be able to beat out even C.J. Beathard as the third quarterback. This is probably the worst season to be a rookie quarterback.