D’Shawn Jamison can parlay impressive start into a 49ers roster spot

We're approaching the end of The Undrafted Corner, where we analyze the San Francisco 49ers'undrafted free-agent class from 2023 and how they can get onto the roster this season.

With the penultimate edition, we look at potentially the most likely to make the roster, former Texas cornerback D'Shawn Jamison.

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Cornerback remains the weakest position on the Niners defense, so there's a lot of opportunity for an impressive UDFA to find himself on the squad.

Enter Jamison, who's been nothing short of impressive so far in the OTAs and has the added benefit of being a kick returner.

In the modern NFL, the slot cornerback is a starting role and so it's imperative for every team to have good depth at the position. San Francisco signed free-agent Isaiah Oliver to fill that role, but the lack of depth behind gives an opportunity to someone like Jamison.

And give Jamison all credit. There's been no shortage of plaudits for his impressive work so far since signing with the 49ers. Now, true enough, he's been playing against guys who are mostly backups and camp bodies. But the old adage is you have to start somewhere, and he's certainly given himself the best possible start.

Jamison may be restricted to slot duties due to his 5-foot-9 and 185-pound frame, but he had seven passes defended and two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown) in 2022 for the Longhorns, which show his ability to make plays on the ball.

Jamison also has special teams ability and could be the kick returner for the Niners, too. He ran a fast 4.45 40-yard time at the NFL Combine and had two punt returns and one kick return for a touchdown in his collegiate career.

While Jamison is unlikely to see the field on defense in 2023 unless there's an injury or a blowout, his impressive preseason so far and his special teams potential could make him a tough guy to keep off the field and end up making him the most likely of the UDFA group to make it onto the final roster.