49ers vs Cowboys: Top 5 performances from preseason Week 1

Cowboys vs 49ers: 5 top performances from preseason Week 1

SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 10: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 and head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers talk with each other during pregame warm ups prior to the start of an NFL preseason football game against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi's Stadium on August 10, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

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BOCA RATON, FL – NOVEMBER 3: Azeez Al-Shaair #2 of the Florida Atlantic Owls knocks Keion Davis #24 of the Marshall Thundering Herd out of bounds before the goal line at FAU Stadium on November 3, 2017 in Boca Raton, Florida. FAU defeated Marshall 30-25. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images) /

No. 3: LB Azeez Al-Shaair

Seemingly coming out of nowhere, linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, a rookie from Florida Atlantic University, made his presence known in a few key plays during Saturday’s game.

First, he showed the tackling prowess that helped him rack up close to 400 tackles in 43 career games at FAU, including 31 tackles-for-loss. He finished his first NFL preseason game with four tackles, including one where he simply destroyed the Cowboys’ failed attempt at a screen pass.

Later in the game, he recovered a fumble by Cowboys quarterback Mike White, demonstrating an intensity to fight for the ball, even when he was fighting with his teammate.

Al-Shaair might not have done enough to make the team’s 53-man roster just yet, but his tenacity should certainly get 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Salah to pay attention to what he does from here until the end of the preseason.