49ers roster: Analyzing 2023 UDFA signings and their fit

D'Shawn Jamison #5 of the Texas Longhorns (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
D'Shawn Jamison #5 of the Texas Longhorns (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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Khalan Laborn. Marshall Thundering Herd(Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
Khalan Laborn. Marshall Thundering Herd(Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /

Overview for 49ers 2023 UDFA class: Offensive skill players

Jack Colletto, Fullback, Oregon State

Jack Colletto was a two-way player at Oregon State who also played linebacker, but he’s been listed as simply a fullback on the 49ers website. Colletto was a very effective goalline back for the Beavers with 22 touchdowns on only 111 carries in his collegiate career. Colletto is 6-foot-3 and 237 pounds so he has the size to be the understudy to the 32-year-old Kyle Juszczyk.

Verdict: He’ll be destined for the practice squad and need to improve his receiving skills, but there’s some intriguing upside for the future.

Ronald Awatt, Running Back, UTEP

It feels like people aren’t as excited for this UDFA running back prospect, but Ronald Awatt ran decently for the UTEP Miners this season with 734 yards and two touchdowns at 4.5 yards per carry. He’s a good size at 5-foot-11 and 205 pounds, and he’s shown a good talent for running through tacklers.

Verdict: There’s always room for a talented and undrafted running back on the Niners roster, the question is if he has the speed to go with his toughness to make the roster.

Khalan Laborn, Running Back, Marshall

The former Florida State running back got kicked off the Seminoles due to team infractions, but he rebounded nicely in 2022 with a huge season for Marshall. Khalan Laborn had 302 carries for 1,513 yards and 16 touchdowns while also having 16 receptions for 116 yards. He had a strong Pro Day also with Sports Illustrated noting how he stacked up again other prospects:

"His 40-yard dash would’ve ranked sixth but his 3-cone-drill (1), broad jump (T3), vertical jump (3), and bench press (2) all fall within the top three of his position."

Verdict: There’s definitely some untapped potential with Laborn who definitely shone when given a second chance at Marshall. Not playing much at Florida State means there’s not a lot of mileage on his legs, he possesses excellent speed with decent size (5-foot-10, 204 pounds) and he had some potential as a receiving back too. Definitely, one to watch who could sneak onto the 53-man roster.

Shae Wyatt, Wide Receiver, Tulane

Shae Wyatt had 35 receptions for 692 yards and seven touchdowns for the Tulane Green Wave this season, with a career in the slot perhaps looming for the 6-foot-0, 188-pound receiver. Wyatt regularly showed big-play ability for Tulane.

Verdict: The wide receiver room is probably set for 2023, but how it’ll look beyond that will be another matter. Wyatt probably has no chance of making the main roster unless he really shines, but it’ll be interesting to see where he might fit in 2024 if he makes it onto the practice squad and stays there.