49ers Veteran Drops Shocking Truth About Rookie Corner

San Francisco, CA – June 13, 2025

The 49ers’ secondary might be undergoing a quiet revolution — and it’s one of their own veterans sounding the alarm.

Deommodore Lenoir, a mainstay of San Francisco’s defensive backfield, didn’t hold back when asked about rookie cornerback Upton Stout. His words weren’t just encouraging — they were downright stunning. “That kid’s got it,” Lenoir said after OTAs. “He’s not just good for a rookie. He’s good, period.”

That statement carries serious weight, especially coming from a player like Lenoir who has worked his way up in one of the NFL’s most demanding defensive schemes. But what’s more surprising is what that praise could mean: Lenoir himself might be moving to the outside to make room for Stout in the nickel.

The 49ers drafted Stout in the third round with high hopes, but few expected him to push for a starting role this early. Now, with Lenoir openly backing him and new defensive coordinator Robert Saleh looking to install his vision, it’s clear the coaching staff is ready to take the training wheels off.

“He’s sharp, physical, and confident,” Lenoir added. “You don’t see that every day from a rookie. He’s going to help us win — soon.”

This potential shift also speaks volumes about the team’s long-term defensive strategy. With Charvarius Ward now with the Colts and a new defensive scheme in play, youth and flexibility are becoming cornerstones of the 49ers’ identity. Slot corner, once thought to be Lenoir’s lock, might now belong to the rookie who’s already impressing at camp.

If Stout continues to develop at this pace, he won’t just be part of the rotation — he’ll be a centerpiece.

And if veterans like Lenoir are willing to adjust to make room for him, 49ers fans might be witnessing the start of something very special in the secondary.