John Lynch brings in Wisconsin quarterback Tanner Mordecai to add depth.
The San Francisco 49ers did not take a late-round quarterback this year, but the team will sign Wisconsin Tanner. . . Mordecai was drafted by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler as an undrafted free agent after being drafted.
Wisconsin offensive coordinator Phil Longo called him a “warrior” and said he made a big impact in his one season with the Badgers.
Mordecai, who also played at Oklahoma and SMU, becomes the fourth quarterback on the 49ers roster, joining Brock Purdy, Joshua Dobbs and Brandon Allen.
“I tell Tanner every day I wish I had him for three or three. four. years,” Longo told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in December 2023. “And I appreciate him as a person, I appreciate him for the warrior that coaches are, but he’s one of the toughest quarterbacks I’ve ever coached.
“”Mentally and physically, he’s been like this since the day he got here. This is 100% who and what he is. That’s what we wanted from our quarterback and we got it.
I’m just sorry he got hurt,” Long added.Since Mordecai injured his hand, he threw for just 2,006 yards and nine touchdowns compared to four interceptions in 2023. He also had 304 yards rushing and four touchdowns.
Mordecai could compete in camp and possibly make the practice squad if he doesn’t impress the 49ers coaches enough to jump Allen or Dobbs.
Tanner Mordecai saw more success before the Badgers stintMordecai from Waco, Texas began his college career at Oklahoma for three seasons followed by two seasons at SMU before transferring to Wisconsin.
In all, Mordecai threw for 9,857 yards and 85 touchdowns and had 27 interceptions in his career.
His best seasons came at SMU, where he was the running back for the Mustangs.
Mordecai completed 67.8% of his passes for 3,628 yards and 39 touchdowns in 2021 with 12 picks. He had a solid 3,524 yards and 33 touchdowns with 10 interceptions in 2022.
“There was never any doubt about what he wanted to do and what he was going to do,” Fickell said. March via Badger Notes.
“One guy played with a broken arm after three and a half weeks or four weeks and couldn’t clap for four weeks and there was no question whether he was going to play in the game or not.
“”And you know he would come out and not just nobody’s going to play like he played, but practice the way he led the way, which helped us move our program forward and is kind of an example of what things can look like when you really immerse yourself in everything.Matthew Davis Heavy .com covers the NFL, focusing on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers.
As a writer for the StarTribune, he has also covered Minnesota prep sports since 2016. Learn more about Matthew Davis.
