Will S.F. sing the praises of rookie Daniels?

could take somebody’s position. I have that opportunity. That’s kind of where my mind was at when he told me how much I would be making.”

The 49ers aren’t regretting their commitment after nine trainingcamp practices. Daniels and running back JaMycal Hasty have emerged as the undrafted rookies who appear most likely to make the 53man roster.

Daniels is adjusting to defensive line coach Kris Kocurek’s attacking style, a departure from the way he played at Oklahoma State and Nebraska, where he spent his final season as a graduate transfer. However, he has flashed the ability that attracted the 49ers. Daniels has flexed his power by consistently shoving interior offensive linemen backward during oneonone drills.

It was perhaps notable last week that head coach Kyle Shanahan barely discussed Daniels when asked in a question about defensiveline depth whether the rookie free agent had surpassed expectations. NFL coaches don’t call attention to promising young players on the bubble, hoping they can clear waivers and be stashed on the practice squad if they don’t make the roster.

“He’s been what we’ve anticipated,” Shanahan said, quickly moving on: “We’ve got a number of guys out there …”

Said defensive coordinator Robert Saleh when asked about Daniels: “He’s showing some good qualities. He’s got a lot to learn with technique, consistency …”

It’s counterintuitive, but Saleh’s lukewarm assessment suggests the 49ers are smitten.

There’s a lot to like about Daniels, on and off the field.

At Oklahoma State, he was the only freshman on the team’s leadership council and, in his final season, was given the program’s award for leadership, spirit and enthusiasm. After he transferred last year to Nebraska to play with younger brother, Damion, he was voted a captain by his teammates despite his newguy status.

Daniels graduated early from Oklahoma State with a degree in marketing and began pursuing his master’s in applied science last year. His father, Tony, has said Darrion often would emerge from the locker room after games at Bishop Dunne High School in Dallas with his head down, reading a book. His reading interests are wideranging and included a Greek mythology phase.

“Darrion takes education very seriously,” Tony said. “He’ll tell you he enjoys being a nerd.”

Tony Daniels and Kocurek were defensive linemen at Texas Tech and have been together at alumni events over the years. However, Kocurek didn’t know Tony was Darrion’s father until this summer.

Tony, an allconference defensive end who suffered a major knee injury in training camp with the Packers in 1997, knew about Kocurek’s reputation as a harddriving coach who taught a smashmouth style. In college, Daniels was charged mostly with holding the point of attack, sometimes taking on double teams, and freeing up linebackers to make tackles. Daniels had 91 tackles (11 for losses) and 2.5 sacks in his 41game career.

Kocurek called Daniels about two weeks before the draft to gauge the bookworm’s interest in learning something new.

“I remember one thing him asking me is how comfortable I was playing in an attackstyle defense,” Daniels said. “He said he noticed through my history, I’d never really been let off the leash.”

Daniels’ road to a 53man roster spot includes some notable obstacles. He’s part of a deep defensive line and won’t have a chance to perform in a preseason game. However, Jullian Taylor, a backup nose tackle, is expected to miss at least the first six regularseason games with a knee injury.

Without offseason practices, Daniels is in the early stages of learning new passrushing techniques and channeling Kocurek’s mindset.

“Being able to push the pocket is one thing,” Daniels said, “but here pushing the pocket isn’t enough. And that’s what I signed up for. I was told I was going to be challenged when I got here. And I’m being challenged every single day.”

Said defensive lineman Arik Armstead: “Darrion has been doing exceptionally well. He’s coming along. It’s always an adjustment as a rookie, especially the way Kris wants us to play. He’s getting better day by day.”

As far as his singing, Daniels, who has never been shy about belting out R&B, country and gospel, has kept that talent hidden in the NFL. He plans to keep singing hits from Stevie Wonder, Snoh Aalegra, John Legend and Ari Lennox in his head until he reaches the big stage.

“I’m still a new guy and trying to find my way and get in everybody’s good graces,” Daniels said. “Maybe I’ll start singing when I’m actually on the team.” Eric Branch covers the 49ers for The San Francisco Chronicle. Email: ebranch@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Eric_Branch