SANTA CLARA — Spencer Burford is ecstatic to be able to learn from the best in the business in All-Pro Trent Williams.
The 49ers selected the UTSA offensive lineman with the No. 134 overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft to add depth to the group. Burford is a versatile lineman that can play on both the interior and exterior of the line.
Where Burford is asked play on the line does not matter to the former Roadrunner who is willing to go wherever the team needs him. What does mean a lot is being able to have a resource in his new teammate.
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“Trent Williams is a freak of nature,” Burford said. “I’m just glad I got the selection so I can go and learn as much as possible from that dude. I like to watch his game. I like to study his style of play.
“Actually being able to get the opportunity and get the chance to meet him and play with the dude, that’s a blessing."
Burford will compete for a spot to protect Trey Lance on the field knowing exactly what he needs to work on. The versatile lineman believes that sometimes his aggressive nature causes him to forfeit his technique. Burford is hoping that offensive line coach Chris Foerster along with Williams will help him learn how to prevent that from happening.
When Burford shared his strengths, it makes the choice by Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch to select him completely understandable.
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“I’m going to run off the ball for sure,” Burford said. “You ain’t ever got to worry about me lacking on a play. I play balls to the wall most definitely all the time. I treat game as a sacred field that you play on. The game means a lot to me so I’m not going to disrespect it.”
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Buford believes his physical nature falls right into line with what Shanahan asks of his offensive line. While at UTSA, the team ran an outside zone run scheme helping the prospect know exactly what will be asked of him.
“Kyle Shanahan is a living legend," Burford said. "The offense he runs, I feel like it’s a perfect fit. You look at the offensive line that he has. You can look the guys that are already on the roster. They refine offensive linemen to be the best that they can be. I’m just happy.”