The Good and Not So Good from Day 8 of 49ers Training Camp 2023

SANTA CLARA -- Here's who stood out Day 8 of 49ers training camp 2023.

THE GOOD

1. FS Tashaun Gipson.

Intercepted Brock Purdy for the second time in training camp. Both times, Gipson was lurking in the flat when he picked off a lazy pass and returned it for a touchdown. The 49ers want to replace Gipson with rookie third-round pick Ji'Ayir Brown, but Gipson won't let them because he's so much better than the youngster.

2. SS Talanoa Hufanga.

Almost intercepted Purdy while playing centerfield. It was 3rd and 4. The defense played Cover 1 (man-to-man coverage with one deep safety -- the Purdy Special, daring him to throw deep). So Purdy threw deep. But he didn't hold Hufanga with his eyes. Hufanga read Purdy, broke early, jumped for the ball and let it clang off both hands. After practice, defensive coordinator Steve Wilks said Hufanga shouldn't have jumped.

3. TE George Kittle.

Made an acrobatic catch deep down the field on an extremely under thrown pass from Brock Purdy. Kittle stopped, reached over Dre Greenlaw's back and caught the ball while falling to the grass.

4. WR Brandon Aiyuk.

Made a leaping fingertip catch over the middle on an extremely high pass from Brock Purdy. Aiyuk used his go-go-gadget arms to haul in the throw. He finished the day with another five catches, and now has 28 through eight practices. He's unreal.

5. WR Deebo Samuel.

Beat Charvarius Ward on a 50-50 jump ball in the end zone for a touchdown. Ward rarely loses 50-50 balls, especially against wide receivers such as Samuel who are smaller than him. Give Samuel credit for competing.

6. C Jake Brendel.

Beat both Arik Armstead and Javon Kinlaw during 1-on-1 pass-rush drills. Brendel has improved so much since last year. He almost never loses a rep anymore.

7. DT Javon Hargrave.

Made light work of whoever he faced during 1 on 1s. Destroyed Nick Zakelj and Joey Fisher instantly.

8. DT Javon Kinlaw.

Planted Spencer Burford on his back during 1 on 1s and then recorded a tackle for loss during 11 on 11s.

9. DT T.Y. McGill.

Won all three of his reps during 1 on 1s. Might be the best backup defensive tackle on the roster.

10. DE Taco Charlton.

Beat Leroy Watson and Ilm Manning during 1 on 1s. Charton almost never loses during this drill. He has lots of pass-rush moves and he's explosive.

11. LB Jalen Graham.

Recorded two tackles near the line of scrimmage during run plays. Graham looks like an eventual starter.

12. CB Ambry Thomas.

Broke up a long pass from Brock Purdy that was intended for George Kittle. This was the first pass I've seen Thomas break up in years.

THE NOT SO GOOD

1. RG Spencer Burford.

Got embarrassed by Javon Kinlaw during 1 on 1s, then gave up a sack to Marlon Davidson during 11 on 11s. Burford doesn't seem to have improved much from his rookie year.

2. RT Colton McKivitz.

Got beaten by Clelin Ferrell during 1 on 1s.

3. DE Drake Jackson.

Got beaten by Colton McKivitz during 1 on 1s. Jackson either runs right into the offensive tackle or tries to run around him, and he's equally bad at both techniques.

4. OG Joey Fisher.

Failed to get his hands on the pass rusher twice during 1 on 1s -- once against Javon Hargrave (understandable), and once against Spencer Waege. Fisher's short arms could be an issue for him in pass protection.

5. TE Brayden Willis.

Tried to block safety at the point of attack on an outside run play and got pushed five yards into the backfield. Not a blocker.

6. TE Cam Latu.

No catches. No targets. Just cardio.