Wilson has both physicality, infectious charm
49ers’ rushing leader cherished
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.V. >> Jeff Wilson Jr. saw the reporter’s iPhone camera pointed his way, flashed a mean-mugging pose, then burst out laughing.
That’s so him. He’ll run angry through a pack of defenders into open space, then win everyone over with his smile off the field.
Nestled here in the Allegheny Mountains, fresh off the 49ers’ first practice of a week-long layover, Wilson didn’t mind waiting for his turn at the media podium beside the practice field.
Waiting, you see, is Wilson’s forte. Each season, he eventually climbs up the depth chart and delivers like an RB1-caliber stud. In a profession full of hungry reserves, what sets Wilson apart is his dual personas.
“As you can see, a very physical guy out there on the field,” wide receiver Deebo Samuel said. “But ‘Jefe’ is really fun and cool to be around outside of ball, just to get to know him as a person, other than a guy who runs through people out here on the green (grass).”
Coach Kyle Shanahan has never been shy about proclaiming himself a fan of Wilson, who arrived in 2018 as an undrafted free agent.
“He’s a pretty infectious guy,” Shanahan said. “You guys have been around him.
We all feel that way. Our wives who’ve met him feel that way. He’s just a very positive, upbeat guy who is fun to be around. He’s not trying to do that for anyone; he does that for everybody.
“When you watch the way he plays and combine it with his character, it’s so inspiring.”
Each of the past three games, Wilson has burst up the middle for big gains to propel a touchdown drive. Asked Wednesday whether the blocks that spring him are a blur on the field or more appreciated in film review, Wilson answered in a way that depicts his fun-loving, humble personality.
“Shoot, even one of y’all could have run through that hole, you know what I mean?” Wilson replied. “So it’s just a fact I was a guy that was available and was in at the time. Those (blockers) are great.”
When starting running back Elijah Mitchell sprained his right knee in the opener and headed for a two-month exit, Wilson didn’t skip a beat in filling the role, which isn’t necessarily a full-time job in this offense, not when the 49ers also turn to Samuel and others. It was Tevin Coleman
who complemented Wilson in Sunday’s 37-15 win at Carolina.
Wilson had a season-high 120 yards last weekend, including a 41-yard sprint to the 9 as a prelude to Jimmy Garoppolo’s touchdown pass to Coleman for a 7-0 lead. Wilson had a 32yard touchdown run in the 49ers’ previous win over the Rams, and a 37-yard run early the week before at Denver.
“He doesn’t mess around. He knows himself,” Shanahan said. “People that get that big lane, they’ll see that one (defender) left and stop to set up a really big move to make that guy miss. I didn’t even see Jeff make a move because he just goes to space, takes it right away and changes the angle on the guy.”