49ers HC Kyle Shanahan walks through his scouting process ahead of the NFL Draft
49ers’ head coach Kyle Shanahan said he doesn’t get into college tape until February
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 02: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers calls a timeout during overtime against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on October 02, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) | Getty Images Social media had some fun with San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, who admitted he doesn’t watch college prospects until February. While the personnel and scouts are traveling and watching players year-round, Shanahan is, and you might want to sit down for this, coaching.
He explained his process on the Rich Eisen Show: I feel like I’m just always playing catch-up. That’s what John [Lynch] and his whole department do all year. So they’ve got a really good idea in January, where the season ends.
They kind of re-evaluate it after the Pro Days and the Combine, and everything. They don’t change that much, because we try to base everything off the film. There’s certain things guys can do that can hurt themselves or help themselves after that.
But for me, I just picked up that tape for the first time in February. I usually don’t know who the Heisman is or anything at that time. I’ve been 100 percent NFL ball.