Joseph Yearby is the most interesting of the undrafted free agent class from Miami. He likely declared for the NFL to provide for his two little children and the fact he was relegated to third-stringer by the end of the season.
He was Miami’s leading rusher in 2015 with 1,002 yards and six touchdowns. Backing up Mark Walton for most of 2016, Yearby had 608 yards on the ground and seven touchdowns.
He lost carries as the year went on. After nine attempts for 53 yards and a touchdown at Virginia week ten, he finished the season with only six carries in the last three games.
Another year in college could have improved Yearby chances of being drafted. The Hurricanes are woefully thin at running back. Gus Edwards who passed Yearby on the depth chart transferred to Rutgers for his Senior year.
Walton’s primary backup heading into the fall is Travis Homer who had only seven carries in 2016. Yearby would have been given plenty of carries if he returned.
An NFL Scout told Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald about Yearby:
"“When he turned pro, I was saying what the hell was he doing?…He should take another year at Miami – let them take care of his room, board, tuition. I don’t see him getting into a [training] camp. He has quickness. He could go into the arena league. But there’s nothing special about him”"
Getting a tryout with the 49ers doesn’t guarantee Yearby a spot in the 49ers training camp, much less a spot on the roster. The Niners are five deep at running back. That’s led by Carlos Hyde who has had trouble staying healthy.
Next: Miami Hurricanes NFL Draft Review
The 49ers also drafted Joe Williams from Utah in the fourth round and traded with the Denver Broncos for Kapri Bibbs. It’s going to be tough for Yearby to get into training camp much less make the 49ers. As of now, it appears at best he’s likely headed to the arena league.