Why 49ers' Trey Lance might be more NFL-ready than many think [View all]

(Randy) Hedberg, 66, a former NFL quarterback (and North Dakota State’s associate head coach), is the passing-game coordinator and QBs coach at a program that’s won eight of the past 10 FCS national titles. He’s been in Fargo since 2014 and is a reason the Missouri Valley Football Conference school has an unlikely title: Quarterback U. Before Lance, the Bison’s starters were the Colts’ Carson Wentz, the No. 2 pick in 2016, and the Chargers’ Easton Stick, a 2019 fifth-round NFL pick.

Hedberg’s latest star pupil, Lance, might be far more NFL-ready than it would appear after glancing at his age, experience and college competition. Unlike so many college quarterbacks leading spread attacks, Lance directed NDSU’s pro-style offense, which mirrored much of what he’ll be asked to do with the 49ers. Lance’s ability to lead the Bison’s system allayed some of Shanahan’s fears before he invested the No. 3 pick on a QB who made 17 starts at the Football Championship Subdivision level and was 20 when he was drafted.

NDSU’s quarterbacks have pre-snap responsibilities that involve changing calls or alignments based on what they observe from a defense. Lance was required to change the offensive-line protections when, for example, he anticipated an incoming blitz. And he used a “kill” and “maybe” system to switch to a built-in secondary call at the line of scrimmage: A “kill” would change a pass to a run, or vice versa. The “maybe” system involved checking out of the original run call to another run.

In addition, Lance was adept at what Hedberg termed NDSU’s “quick game,” which required him to make an immediate throw based on the defensive coverage. Hedberg didn’t divulge everything Lance had to master. That was clear when he was asked a follow-up after he mentioned NDSU has a “specific way of teaching quarterbacks how to see coverages.”

Link (probable paywall): https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/49ers/article/Why-49ers-Trey-Lance-might-be-more-NFL-ready-16181269.php

The short of it: Trey Lance was given a lot autonomy and pro-style experience at college that helped develop QB instincts and should provide for a jump start to succeeding in the NFL. We're also reading that Lance is level-headed, smart, and a tenacious learner.

The 49ers weren't about to make this selection without thorough vetting. I'm thrilled with this selection.