Lineman, mentor reunited with S.F.
As Kerry Hyder outlined his goals for the 2020 season, the 49ers’ defensive end said he wanted to become a “better player” and “contribute” in any way possible.
Yawn, right? But after that standard stuff, Hyder said something unique. Seriously, how often have you heard this from an NFL player?
“If I have to be a guy that’s excited on the sideline, I’m willing to be that,” Hyder said. “I’ll be excited for that. I just want to be a part of this Dline.”
Hyder’s willingness to serve as a cheerleader, if it comes to that, is an example of why the sixyear veteran who is fighting for a roster spot has an influential cheerleader in his corner this summer: defensive line coach Kris Kocurek.
Asked about Hyder on Tuesday, defensive coordinator Robert Saleh smiled. He explained the “man crush” he has on defensive end Ronald Blair — whom he affectionately calls “Ronnie” — is rivaled by Kocurek’s strong feelings for Hyder, his pupil for three seasons (20152017) with the Lions.
On Wednesday, the first question Kocurek was asked in a phone interview was this: Why are you so fond of Hyder?
The length of Kocurek’s answer: 9 minutes and 52 seconds.
Among the hundreds of words Kocurek offered, “works his butt off ” and “great teammate” and “great effort player” and “versatile” and “selfless” and “smart” and “prepared” were included.
Yes, it’s fair to say Kocurek had something do with the 49ers signing Hyder, 29, to a oneyear contract in March.
“I just love Kerry’s demeanor,” Kocurek said. “Everything he stands for. How he handles himself. Always, in the back of my mind, I was hopeful I could get back with him because I kind of felt our time together kind of got cut short. … I just felt there was a little bit of unfinished business between us.”
Kocurek is regarded as one of the NFL’s top defensive line coaches.
Last year, in his first season with the 49ers, he played a key role in defensive lineman Arik Armstead’s breakout 10sack season that led to an $85 million extension in March.
However, Hyder might be
among Kocurek’s more impressive, if much lesser known, success stories.
Consider: Hyder was an undersized 300pound defensive tackle who went undrafted in 2014, spent his first two seasons on practice squads with the Jets and Lions, and lost 35 pounds before the 2016 season because Kocurek thought he was better suited to play defensive end.
He was right. Hyder led the NFL with 17 quarterback pressures in the 2016 preseason and secured a spot on the seasonopening roster with three sacks in the exhibition finale.
And then his Cinderella story reached another level. Hyder, whom Kocurek says was probably the 53rd player to make the 53man roster, brought down Indianapolis quarterback Andrew Luck twice in Week 1, had at least one sack in each of the first four games and ranked fourth in the NFL in sacks (seven) after nine weeks. He finished with eight sacks, 19 quarterback pressures and a deep appreciation for the coach who convinced him the position switch could change his fortunes.
“I’d spent two years on practice squads, so for someone to have that type of belief in me and trust in me go into the season, that was huge,” Hyder said. “He stood on a table for me and really gave me an opportunity. I owe a lot to coach Kris, and it’s just a joy to be back with him.”
Hyder is with Kocurek and
“He’s everything I remember. He’s probably in the best shape of his life.” Kris Kocurek, defensive line coach, on 49ers lineman Kerry Hyder
with one of the best position groups in the league. The 49ers have six firstround selections on their defensive line, all of whom were among the draft’s top 23 picks.
Hyder’s journey has been more arduous. Not only was he undrafted, he remains largely unknown because his success in 2016 was shortlived: Six minutes into the 2017 preseason opener, on his fifth snap, Hyder ruptured his Achilles tendon and missed the season.
Rehab was grueling. He played in just seven games with Detroit in 2018 when he had one sack and lacked the same explosion. Last year, when he says he finally felt fully healthy, he reestablished his career after signing with the Cowboys. He had just one sack, but played all 16 games while logging 439 snaps and filling in across the line.
Hyder’s path has provided hardearned perspective and explains his willingness to, if necessary, be an AllPro at exhorting his teammates from the sideline.
Hyder appreciates being in the NFL. After the 2015 season, his second straight on a practice squad, he began to seriously consider postfootball plans. He and his wife,
Jasmine, had a 1yearold daughter, Giavonna, and Hyder couldn’t afford to wait through what might be several months of unemployment in hopes of keeping his NFL dream alive.
Fortunately for Hyder, Kocurek was making plans for him to become a defensive end.
“I was prepared to get into coaching,” Hyder said. “I always felt like I had a lot to give to the game. So if I wasn’t able to do it on the field, I was going to try to do it with my mind. I wanted to help younger players fulfill their dreams if I wasn’t able to accomplish mine.”
Kocurek and Hyder were both defensive linemen at Texas Tech and were born and raised in the Lone Star state. They had common ground when they met at the 2014 NFL combine, and Hyder thought of Kocurek, who was impressed with his college video, after spending his first season with the Jets.
Their relationship led to Hyder signing a futures contract with the Lions. Five years later, their connection brought Hyder to the 49ers this spring. Last month, after an offseason of virtual meetings, they finally saw each other in person.
“Right when he got here,” Kocurek said, “he comes in my office and said, ‘Coach, wherever you need me to play, I’ll play.’ ”
Later, specialteams coach Richard Hightower entered Kocurek’s office.
Hightower “told me, ‘Man, I’ll you what, I really like your guy Kerry Hyder,’ ” Kocurek said. “He came in my office and said, ‘Whatever you need me to do, coach. Whatever special teams you need me on …’”
The 49ers need Hyder primarily to provide quality snaps as a backup edge rusher behind their Pro Bowl starters, Nick Bosa and Dee Ford. Their passrushing depth is a question mark with Blair, their top option off the bench, sidelined with a torn ACL he suffered in November.
Hyder is “everything I remember,” Kocurek said. “He’s probably in the best shape of his life. … If he keeps stacking days and working the way he always does, I think he can be an integral part of our defense.”