CB Upton Stout Press Conference

DB Upton Stout

Press Conference – April 25, 2025

San Francisco 49ers

President of football operations and general manager John Lynch said you had the most energy they’ve ever heard on a call. Can you just kind of describe your emotions when you got the call from them?

“Man, really, I’m not going to lie, I was excited just because when I took my visit out there, I just knew this is a spot for me. Just seeing all the playmakers they had and all the dogs. I’m just like, if I’m able to feed off them, I could be a great player. So, I was excited. Once John Lynch told me he was on the phone, I was just turned up and pumped.”

You are the third guy today to actually say that you just knew that the 49ers were the place for you to be. What was it about your visit that just solidified that for you?

“I feel like it was the coaches’ energy, like the coaches’ energy was just off the charts, off the roof. So, I just felt like we were vibing right when I got into the DB room. So, that’s when I really felt like, yeah, this is a place for me to be after I was just vibing with the coaches.”

You said your parents are out there vibing right now. What’s it like going on?

“I’m not going to lie, they’re all turnt like, man, we’re blessed right now. I’m not going to lie. It’s a crazy feeling right now.”

How familiar are you with the 49ers system and how they operate, the guys that are already on the roster?

“I watched a lot of their defense last year while I was at WKU [Western Kentucky University], just watching number two [DB Deommodore Lenoir] on the slot and then watching six [S Malik Mustapha] at safety. So just me watching a lot of the ball players that they had, that always kind of gravitated me to their defensive scheme.”

John Lynch said area scout Warren Ball the scout was on you, said you had the heart of a lion. Do you have to have that to play the way you do with the size you have?

“For sure. I feel like you always have to have the heart of a lion no matter what size you are. It’s just like, you have to have that mindset every time you step on the field and I just feel like every time I step on the field, you’re going to get the best of me and I feel like that’s what comes out is like heart of a lion.”

So you play as fast as you talk?

“My bad. I’m just pumped up right now. My voice is gone. I’m just like, I’m excited right now.”

You put up the most bench press reps out of any DB at the combine. I think 21. Was that a big point of pride for you just because showcasing your strength is something you see a lot on tape?

“Yeah, that was really a big main point for me just to show coach that I can’t just go out there and play man and talk, show that I’m actually strong too when it comes to my game. So it was a big part of me just to go out there and try to get the most bench reps for the DBs.”

Interested to know if you have any type of relationship or just excited to get to know Deommodore Lenoir who plays the same position here? Maybe pick his brain on what you can expect coming in this year.

“I’m just excited to get around him, just seeing all the plays he made and him being one of the top players in the league as far as in the slot. So, I’m just excited to pick his brain and see how I can develop my game into another level. Just trying to feed off his game every day because I know he is doing that at a high level right now. So, I’m just trying to figure out how I can do that and catch on quick.”

How does playing in the slot suit your game?

“I feel like that’s me. I feel like when I’m at corner, that’s kind of like it’s cool to go shut down the island, but when I’m in the middle that really showcases who I really am. Like I can go blitz, I can tap, I can play man to man. So, I feel like me being at slot really showcases the type of player I am, the type of versatility that I can bring to a team.”

Do you like playing against the run as well?

“For sure. I always like to put my nose in. I feel like that’s a big part of my game getting dirty. I like when the violence comes.”