The 49ers moved up to No. 3 in the 2021 NFL Draft, likely to select their quarterback of the future, but they are still doing their research on Virginia Tech cornerback Caleb Farley.
At his Pro Day availability on Friday, the 6-foot-2, 207 pound defensive back shared that he has spoken to 49ers personnel through multiple Zoom calls. Farley opted out of the 2020 NCAA football season due to COVID-19 concerns, but spent the time dissecting game film and working on his fundamentals.
In his two seasons at Virginia Tech, Farley registered 56 total tackles, 43 solo, one quarterback sack, 19 pass breakups, and six interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown.
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Cornerbacks that Farley admires and models his game after include Baltimore Ravens’ Marcus Peters, New England Patriots’ Stephon Gilmore, Buffalo Bills' Tra’Davious and All-Pro Richard Sherman, who currently is a free agent after spending the last three seasons with the 49ers.
“I think that Richard Sherman is a GOAT in the game,” Farley said. “A wide receiver transferred to a cornerback, and having the football IQ he has to give himself the ability to make plays. I think that’s why he is so successful, because of how smart he is.
“I am a huge fan of Richard Sherman.”
In a normal offseason, the NFL Scouting Combine provides centralized medical evaluations of all draft prospects. Instead, Farley extensively detailed the back issue he was having that led to a procedure he underwent on Tuesday.
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Farley tore his ACL in a non-contact injury in 2017 and had back spasms in 2019 but shared that his most recent issues have been resolved. The procedure was an outpatient micro discectomy of his S1 that was needed from a previous injury to his L5.
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Farley is projected to be selected in the top half of the first round but could be a fit for the 49ers if he happens to fall to Day 2. The former Hokie has the size and speed to make an immediate impact at the NFL level not to mention his coverage skills and ball hawking ability.
Farley can't wait to get back on the field, after being being away from the game for a season, and it wouldn’t matter which team drafted him. He did, however, have positive outlook on his meetings with the 49ers.
“I feel like they went well,” Farley said. “I’ve enjoyed them.”