{
  "id": 18611527,
  "title": "49ers' ‘Hulk' was a zero-star recruit. Now he's manhandling NFL linemen",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/49ers-hulk-was-a-zero-star-recruit-now-hes-manhandling-nfl-linemen",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-11-07T01:28:58.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/49ers-hulk-zero-star-recruit-012858608.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In 2021, 18-year-old Sebastian Valdez moved from his hometown of Spring Valley to Bozeman, Montana, to begin his freshman season at Montana State. He was recruited by first-year defensive line coach Shawn Howe, who immediately saw potential in the \"zero-star\" recruit. When a starting defensive tackle at Montana State injured his knee, Howe promoted Valdez to defensive tackle, believing he was the future of the position. Valdez struggled initially, gaining weight and battling an elbow injury during his senior year at Washington. Despite not being drafted in 2025, he signed with the San Francisco 49ers as a free agent. Valdez, nicknamed \"The Hulk\" for his strength, has since become a rotation regular on the 49ers, recording nine tackles, three quarterback hits, two tackles-for-loss and a sack in five career games.",
  "summary": "Five years after being thrust into the spotlight at an FCS school, Sebastian Valdez, a 2025 undrafted free agent, is a 6-foot-3, 301-pound regular for the San Francisco 49ers defense.",
  "key_points": [
    "Sebastian Valdez recruited as zero-star recruit in 2021",
    "Promoted to defensive tackle after starter injured knee",
    "Signed with 49ers as free agent, becoming rotation player"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Valdez's rapid rise from an overlooked recruit to a reliable rotation player demonstrates how unconventional developmental paths can yield immediate impact for professional defensive units.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}