49ers sign wide receiver after his highlight tape goes viral on Twitter
Isaiah Winstead posted some highlights on Twitter next thing he knew the San Francisco 49ers came calling.
Wide receiver Isaiah Winstead out of East Carolina put his highlights on Twitter after he went undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft.
He was hoping for some traction. But after going viral, the San Francisco 49ers came calling and offered him a spot on the Niners' 90-man roster.
"Thank You GOD !! Only opinion that matter! Y’all won’t regret it ! @49ers," he tweeted Wednesday after the Niners signed him.
The video that garnered some social media traction showcased Winstead's versatility as a receiver. Above the video, he tweeted: "6’4 210 moving like this. No mini-camp invite or UDFA deal. Behind the scenes on what I can do. With 88 catches & 1100 yds this past season… God makes no mistakes tho thank you in advanced."
Here is the video in question:
Shortly after the video garnered a large number of views, with fans tagging their favorite franchise, 49ers general manager John Lynch made sure San Francisco brought in Winstead to compete on the 90-man roster.
It was reported that Lynch said it wasn't exactly the video that convinced him to sign Winstead. Lynch added that the team's scouts had been watching him for "some time," according to Fox.com.
It wasn't only the 49ers for Winstead, however. He also had interest from the CFL, USFL, and XFL. Then at least six NFL teams called him. His reported 4.70 time in the 40-yard dash apparently scared off some general managers initially.
"I feel like I’m fast enough to play at this level," Winstead told USA Today. "The 49ers, they’re going to get a dog. I’m going to approach practice every day like I’ve been doing. It’s not like I’m there to be somebody I’m not."
Starting on May 12, Winstead will report to the 49ers' rookie minicamp. And from that point, the franchise will see if he has more to offer than just a viral highlight tape.
