Every now and then, an underdog shows up at an NFL training camp and throws the script out the window. This year in San Francisco, that underdog is Isaiah Neyor — an undrafted rookie wide receiver who's already got the attention of All-Pro tight end George Kittle. And trust us, Kittle doesn’t throw around compliments unless he means them.
Yep, George Kittle — the man who's played alongside some of the league’s top talents in a stacked 49ers locker room — is calling Neyor a “freak.” That’s not just high praise; it’s the kind of eyebrow-raising shoutout that can tilt the spotlight in your direction. Especially when it comes from a guy like Kittle, who doesn’t hand out hype like candy.
On a recent episode of “Bussin’ With The Boys,” the podcast hosted by former NFL stars Taylor Lewan and Will Compton, Kittle gave Neyor a glowing review, calling him a "good kid" before hitting him with the kind of nickname every raw, explosive athlete dreams of: “He’s a freak.”
So who exactly is Isaiah Neyor? Let’s rewind and break down this wild ride.
From Two-Star Recruit to NFL Longshot
Neyor’s football journey hasn’t exactly been paved with red carpets and first-class tickets. Coming out of Lamar High School in Arlington, Texas, he was a modest two-star recruit. But he had heart. He started off at Wyoming, where he quickly showed he could be more than just a depth guy. His breakout moment came in 2021 when he racked up 44 receptions for 878 yards and 12 touchdowns — a performance that earned him second-team All-Mountain West honors.
After that monster year, the big boys came calling, and Neyor transferred to Texas. But just as things were heating up, injuries derailed his momentum. After a couple more tough seasons and another transfer — this time to Nebraska — it seemed like Neyor’s NFL hopes were growing dim. He finished college with 87 catches for 1,595 yards and 17 TDs across 33 appearances.
Still, his athleticism never left the chat.
Combine Numbers That Jump Off the Screen
Here’s the kicker: At the NFL Scouting Combine, Neyor destroyed expectations. He clocked in a blazing 4.40 in the 40-yard dash, paired with a jaw-dropping 38-inch vertical leap. For an undrafted free agent, that’s the type of raw data that makes front offices go, “Wait… who is this guy again?”
You can’t teach speed, and you definitely can’t teach the kind of burst that lets you jump out of the building. His testing numbers had “steal” written all over them — and the 49ers clearly saw that.
Kittle’s Reaction: “Holy [Expletive]”
What really sold it to Kittle, though, wasn’t the stats sheet. It was watching Neyor move in real-time. During a route in practice, Neyor covered nearly 10 yards in just two strides. Kittle's jaw basically hit the turf.
“I watched him, he was running a route and he got like 9 1/2 yards in two strides,” Kittle said. “I was like, ‘Holy [expletive].’ It was insane. We watched it like 10 times in the tight end room. We were like ‘How is he doing this?’”
That right there is not something you ignore. When your Pro Bowl tight end is fanboying over a rookie in the tight end film room, coaches take notice.
Opportunity Knocking: 49ers’ WR Depth Is Shaky
Timing is everything in football. And with the 49ers making waves this offseason by trading away Deebo Samuel and dealing with Brandon Aiyuk’s brutal knee injury (ACL, MCL, and meniscus tears — yeah, all of it), San Francisco's receiver room suddenly has “next man up” energy written all over it.
This opens a massive window for someone like Neyor.
Here’s the thing — he doesn’t need to be a WR1 right away. He just needs to shine in training camp and prove he’s reliable when the bullets are flying in preseason games. If he can do that, he might go from undrafted rookie to starting snaps on Sundays faster than anyone imagined.
Why Kittle’s Word Matters
When George Kittle speaks, people in the 49ers' building — heck, the entire NFL — tend to listen. He’s the beating heart of that locker room. So when he’s hyped about a young receiver, it’s not just lip service. It’s a signal.
And it’s not just his words — it’s the fact that he went out of his way to bring Neyor up on a national platform. That’s a big deal. Kittle’s got enough going on with Tight End University and his own training to worry about hyping up rookies. Yet here he is, putting a spotlight on a kid most people had never even heard of before OTAs.
What’s Next for Neyor?
So, here’s where it gets real. Neyor has all the tools — the size, the speed, the vertical, and now a ringing endorsement from a 49ers legend. But camp is camp. Preseason is where reputations are made and rosters are carved in stone. Can he make plays under the lights?
If he puts together a couple of standout performances in the preseason, he could be one of those rare UDFA stories that turns into a starter. The opportunity is there. The hype is building. Now it’s up to Neyor to cash in.
Final Thoughts: Is Neyor This Year’s Breakout WR?
The NFL is full of stories that start just like this. A guy flies under the radar. Injuries or transfers cloud his college résumé. But then he hits the right system, with the right support, at the perfect time — and boom, he’s a household name.
Isaiah Neyor’s journey might just be getting started, but it’s already packed with everything you’d want in a breakout tale — adversity, freakish athleticism, and now, a vote of confidence from one of the most respected players in the league.
Watch this space. The Isaiah Neyor Show might be coming to Sundays very, very soon.
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