The San Francisco 49ers don’t open rookie minicamp until the end of next week, but they took time out Friday to announce the addition of 17 undrafted rookie signings.
The Niners’ UDFA class for 2012:
Northern Illinois fullback Cameron Bell, Clemson linebacker Kourtnei Brown, Wisconsin defensive tackle Patrick Butrym, Michigan State tight end Garrett Celek, Washington State guard David Gonzales, Southern Illinois running back Jewel Hampton, Purdue linebacker Joe Holland, Stanford defensive tackle Matthew Masifilo, Kentucky cornerback Anthony Mosley, Harvard tackle Kevin Murphy, Northwestern guard/tackle Al Netter, Stanford receiver/returner Chris Owusu, Northern Illinois receiver Nathan Palmer, UNLV cornerback Deante’ Purvis, Cal kicker Giorgio Tavecchio, Stanford safety Michael Thomas, and Florida A&M receiver Brian Tyms.
The Owusu signing had been previously confirmed and was covered by Florio at this link.
Hampton (pictured) enters a crowded running back picture in San Francisco, but looked to be headed for stardom at Iowa before tearing both of his ACLs. Hampton transferred to Southern Illinois and led the Missouri Valley Conference in 2011 rushing yardage and rushing scores.
At 5-foot-9, 215, Hampton ran a 4.57 forty-yard dash at the Salukis’ March 29 Pro Day.