JEFF DRISKEL
Position: Quarterback
College: Louisiana Tech
Height: 6 foot 4
Weight: 234 pounds
Selection: Sixth round, No. 207 overall
SANTA CLARA – Quarterback Jeff Driskel did not speak a whole lot with the 49ers before the draft, but he received a phone call Saturday afternoon from coach Chip Kelly that gave him a hint where he would soon be heading.
“He talked to me about 30 minutes before (the 49ers’ pick),” Driskel said. “He wanted to see how things were going, wanted to check in on me. He thought they were going to take me if I got there. He was just excited that I was still there at 207, and I was, too. I’m really happy I landed in San Francisco and I can’t wait to get to work.”
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Driskel entered college as the No. 1 prep quarterback in the country. He now goes into the NFL with a lot less fanfare, as the 49ers' pick in the sixth round. He will compete for a roster spot on a team that has Blaine Gabbert, Colin Kaepernick, Thad Lewis and Dylan Thompson already under contract.
Driskel began his college career at Florida, where he was expected to take over for Tim Tebow.
Driskel spent four seasons at Florida with his most extensive playing time coming in 2012, when he completed 156 of 245 pass attempts (63.7 percent) for 1,646 yards with 12 touchdowns and five interceptions. In 2013, he started three games before sustaining a season-ending fractured leg.
“There’s always going to be expectations,” Driskel said. “There’s always going to be pressure put on you, but you can’t let that affect you and I don’t think it ever did. Obviously, I didn’t always play up to my ability, but I did have a lot of good times there. That’s what comes with playing at high-level football. You have to be able to deal with and worry about what goes on inside your building rather than what’s going on outside of it.”
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He finished up in 2015 at Louisiana Tech, where he appeared in 13 games. Driskel completed 279 of 448 attempts (62.3 percent) for 4,026 yards with 27 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He received honorable mention All-Conference USA honors.
Driskel said he believes he is a good fit for Kelly’s offense with the 49ers. Louisiana Tech ran the up-tempo no-huddle offense with some read-option elements.
“I don’t know the ins and outs of coach Kelly’s offense, but I’m looking forward to doing so,” Driskel said. “I just think my pure athletic ability, the ability to run and the ability to get the ball out quick is something will help me out in that offense.”