SANTA CLARA — The first time rookie linebacker Jaden Dugger walked into the 49ers’ locker room, he tried his best to keep it together.
The reality hit him quickly. Some of the top NFL players of this generation are his new teammates, including their top running back and wide receiver.
“I got starstruck the first time I saw Christian McCaffrey,” Dugger told NBC Sports Bay Area on “Meet the Rookies.”
“I was like, ‘That’s Christian McCaffrey right there. Oh, my God.’ I was trying to keep it in. But it’s crazy. It was my first practice, and I was covering Mike Evans.”
Dugger played one season of college football at Georgetown, before transferring to Louisiana, where he played his final two years.
Dugger played safety, edge rusher and stack linebacker in his three seasons. And the 49ers saw enough from Dugger to select him in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft with the No. 154 overall pick.
He joins a position group that includes Fred Warner, a four-time All-Pro selection, and Dre Greenlaw.
“It’s like a dream come true,” Dugger said. “I got to take advantage of this opportunity. I can’t take it for granted. I got to learn from them about how to navigate, not just on the field but off the field. They’ve been in the game for a while, so I have a great opportunity to do that.”
Dugger also has a tremendous opportunity to learn from his position coach, too. K.J. Wright started 148 games over his 11-year NFL career, mostly with the Seattle Seahawks. Wright enters his third season on the 49ers’ staff and his first as linebackers coach.
Dugger has plenty of similarities to Wright. When Wright broke into the NFL, he was 6-foot-4, 246 pounds. Dugger is 6-4 1/4, 242 pounds. They had comparable arm length, while Dugger edges Wright’s pre-draft marks in the 40-yard dash, vertical and broad jumps.
“This being my first offseason in the linebacker room, I’ve learned a lot about how to use my hands better and understanding the game,” Dugger said. “I feel like having an NFL vet and a great coach, and also great leaders in the room like Fred and Dre, they’re helping me learn a lot.
“I feel like I’ve learned so much since I’ve been here. My mental game has grown so much.”
Warner and Greenlaw will hold down the 49ers’ every-down linebacker spots this season. Dugger has a chance to earn playing time at strong-side linebacker. And he knows that going up against the 49ers’ offense during training camp can only expedite his growth.
“I know I have to come and compete, regardless,” Dugger said. “I have to go against these guys, but I’m still paying my respect to them.
“Growing up as a kid in high school, middle school, seeing these guys play in college and the NFL is great to see. It just lets me know I’m heading in the right direction.”
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