Programming note: Watch Matt Maiocco’s full interview with Kyle Shanahan on “49ers Game Plan,” airing at 9:30 p.m. PT Friday on NBC Sports Bay Area.

Coach Kyle Shanahan has been impressed with rookie 49ers defensive tackle Alfred Collins amid San Francisco’s 4-1 start to the 2025 NFL season.

Particularly because of Collins’ perseverance and preparation after an offseason in which the 49ers’ No. 95 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft missed pivotal introductory periods with a calf injury.

Shanahan shared his admiration for the 6-foot-5, 332-pounder’s journey with NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco on the latest edition of “49ers Game Plan.”

“Alfred, [with] him missing all of OTAs and stuff coming in with an injury, he was behind,” Shanahan told Maiocco. “But he rehabbed so well, got his conditioning and got into camp; I was worried about him at first, being out of football for a little bit. His legs were starting to die out like the first 10 days, and I was nervous he was going to get hurt — or, I was nervous he was going to get one little thing and have to take a week off, and then you start all over again.

“Usually when that happens to rookies, they get hurt, they miss a month and you’re kind of off the rest of the year because you never get that conditioning and really the work that you need to develop to play as a rookie. But he made it through that. Especially for a big guy like himself, he kept working every day; he never took a practice off and kind of got over that hump … and then he made it through the rest of training camp, and you can see his legs come back.”

Every rep is that much more crucial for a rookie. And Collins, well, he didn’t get to prove himself much during OTAs. 

But as Shanahan explained, Collins stayed ready for his first campaign. 

And as reflected by his iconic punch-out against Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams, which star 49ers teammate and linebacker Fred Warner called one of the “best plays” he’s ever seen, Collins has made his opportunities — 95 snaps through five games — count.

“And now, just getting into this year, he’s such a talented dude with how big he is, how long his arms are [and] how quick his feet are,” Shanahan told Maiocco. “Still has a ways to go, but he prepared himself for the season right, and that’s allowed him to stay healthy.

“And when you’re talented like that, and you’re in a scheme that’s allowing you to do things, it’s like I say with a lot of these guys — if you keep getting reps, it’s only a matter of time until you become that type of player, and he’s showing us that right now.”

Collins sure is earning his reps. And it’s largely because of Shanahan and company’s recognition of his tireless grind, dating back to the rookie’s partial offseason.

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