San Francisco 49ers: Thoughts and news on OTAs thus far

ENGLEWOOD, CO - AUGUST 27: Jarryd Hayne #38 of the San Francisco 49ers works out with teammates Dres Anderson #6, Issac Blakeney #1, and Bruce Miller #49 during a joint training session with the San Francisco 49ers and the Denver Broncos at the Denver Broncos Training Facility on August 27, 2015 in Englewood, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /

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PROVO, UT – SEPTEMBER 17: Fred Warner #4 of the Brigham Young Cougars deflects this third quarter pass, intended for Austin Roberts #88 of the UCLA Bruins at LaVell Edwards Stadium on September 17, 2016 in Provo, Utah. The UCLA Bruins won 17-14. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /

Fred Warner: Potential defensive quarterback?

I’ve not been shy in my love for rookie linebacker Fred Warner, going so far to say he might be the only rookie not named offensive tackle Mike McGlinchley who could start Week 1 for the 49ers.

So it was sure a good thing for me to read Warner has been calling the plays as MIKE linebacker for the second-string defense.

Defensive rookies rarely call out plays in any form, which is a sign of both his football IQ and the faith the coaching staff have in him.

The veteran, Malcolm Smith, is the MIKE for the first-string and Foster will no doubt start when he returns to the team pending any ban from the NFL. But Warner could find himself deep in the battle to start with Eli Harold, Korey Toomer and Brock Coyle if he continues his impressive start.