by Dominick Puni’s outstanding rookie season as the 49ers’ starting right guard led many, including teammate Trent Williams, to believe that the Kansas product had plenty of experience at the position before entering the NFL.
Following San Francisco’s 36-24 victory over the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday at Lumen Field, Williams revealed how amazed he was to learn that this is Puni’s first season at right guard, considering how well the rookie has performed.
“It’s amazing. I didn’t know he didn’t play right guard in college, so I just learned something,” Williams told reporters after Thursday’s win. “Which is crazy because he literally has the makings of a Pro Bowl/All-Pro player at that position. So like I said, he’s a godsend. He’s a really, really good boy. Really, really professional. He did it.” The respect of my teammates just by the way he carried himself.
Puni has yet to allow a sack in his NFL career and has accounted for just 11 quarterback pressures in his first six professional starts, according to Pro Football Focus.
With a PFF grade of 78.3, Puni ranks second among all NFL rookie offensive linemen, behind only Pittsburgh Steelers center Zach Frazier (81.8).
Williams’ deep respect for Puni is mutual, as the rookie takes every opportunity to soak up as much knowledge as possible from the future Pro Football Hall of Famer.
“Trent, he’s just different. I don’t think there are too many people who can do what he can do,” Puni told NBC Sports Bay Area after the 49ers’ Week 4 win over the New England Patriots. “That’s what I learned, he’s just different. He sees so much that he doesn’t really have to ask questions, he’s been doing it for 15 years. I’m just trying to really channel him.
After being selected 86th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, Puni looks like the latest mid-round steal that was the backbone of San Francisco’s successful roster construction during the Kyle Shanahan/John Lynch era.
Williams’ warm praise is a most gratifying endorsement for an offensive lineman, but that won’t cause Puni to become complacent.
“If you don’t work hard, talent doesn’t matter.” Puni told NBC Sports Bay Area.
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