49ers training camp 2021: 4 rookies who have impressed the most

49ers Rookie No. 3: Safety Talanoa Hufanga

Veteran safety Tavon Wilson might be getting a lot of the buzz for his efforts filling in for the presumed strong safety starter, Jaquiski Tartt, who is out with a toe injury.

But don’t overlook one of three fifth-round additions the 49ers added in the draft, USC safety Talanoa Hufanga.

Hufanga might not have the straight-line speed to act as a pure over-the-top safety. But as an in-the-box defender and someone who can key in both blitzes and against the run, Hufanga is already making a sizable impact.

Check out this practice report from KNBR 680’s Jake Hutchinson:

"His timing on some of the 49ers’ inside zone and inside gap scheme runs was uncanny for a rookie. He met fellow rookie Elijah Mitchell at the line of scrimmage a couple of times, closed down Trey Lance on an outside zone read and played crucially tight coverage on the coverage sack Lance (theoretically) took. Kyle Shanahan said after practice that Hufanga has been what the 49ers expected and that he’s flashed similarities to fellow Samoan and now Hall of Famer, Troy Polamalu, who Hufanga worked with over the summer."

Hufanga, who had four interceptions for the Trojans over just six games last year, might be a ways away from starting.

But as a quality run-stopping backup and special teams player, it’s looking more and more like the Niners got another late-round steal.