49ers select CB Culliver with 80th pick

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April 29, 2011MAIOCCO ARCHIVE49ERS PAGE49ERS VIDEOMatt MaioccoCSNBayArea.comWith the 80th pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers selected cornerback Chris Culliver from South Carolina.
The 49ers traded their third round pick (76th overall) to the Jaguars in exchange for the 80th pick and the 182nd overall pick (sixth round).Culliver spoke to reporters via conference call:On whether he had any inkling the 49ers were going to pick him:
"I didnt know. I was definitely surprised but Jim Harbaugh definitely told me he was very interested in me and I'm definitely glad I took the trip up there because I felt like I showed what type of character I have and just to get to know everybody. So, I'm definitely glad to be a 49er now."
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On when he took the trip to visit the 49ers:
"Probably about three weeks ago I would say."

On his impression of meeting the defensive coaches:
"Just the direction it was going, I was definitely pleased with what they were trying to do. Meeting the coach, I definitely enjoyed his time and we sat down at dinner and definitely talked a lot and I definitely learned a lot from him, even just talking to him and talking about, looking at tape, learning different formations and everything. So, I definitely feel like hes going to be a coach that can teach me a lot and I can learn a lot from him."

On whether he has fully tapped his potential from college:
"I feel like I wasn't at the best of my ability at South Carolina but I definitely don't doubt anything or complain about the scheme or anything like that. But that's why I'm definitely so glad. So, I'm definitely prepared for the opportunity."
On whether he considers himself a corner or a safety:
"Whatever coach wants me to play. I feel like I can definitely develop into a good corner. I feel like at safety I'm definitely good at that position as well. I know I dont have a lot of years of experience like other guys at corner, but I definitely only can develop and be a better player in that role. So, regardless, I'm down for pretty much whatever coach wants me to do."

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