By admin 
The San Francisco 49ers got their first preseason game out of the way. It wasn’t the prettiest game you’ll ever see, but there was plenty we could take away from it regardless.
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Some of the rookies and depth players really stood out, with most of the starters not playing. Veteran left tackle Trent Williams is one of the players who doesn’t have to worry about playing in the preseason, but that doesn’t mean he’s not locked in.
Williams was on the sideline taking the game in, and he came away impressed with one of the rookies in particular.
Gracen Halton Catches Williams’ Eye
Gracen Halton is one of the players who has a big opportunity this summer. The 49ers brought in Osa Odighizuwa to man one defensive tackle spot, but Alfred Collins has so far disappointed at the other spot.
The 49ers don’t have the best defensive tackle depth, so Halton has a real shot to play a big role. So far, the rookie is rising to the occasion.
Against the Titans, Halton collected four tackles, one tackle for loss, and two pressures. Halton’s tackle for loss was a nice run stuff where he popped Tyjae Spears behind the line. The rookie looked fast, and it was impressive because he was going against one of the best guards in the league.
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“Boomer Sooner. Gracen Halton, you know it,” said Williams when asked who impressed him in the opener. “Obviously he’s an Oklahoma guy, so I’m a little biased. But I think the world kind of sees what he has to offer. Very explosive. Really powerful. … He definitely impressed.”
That’s high praise from Williams, who has seen his fair share of elite defensive linemen over the years. Halton has made a great first impression, now the hope is that he can continue to build on that going forward.
Halton spent all four seasons of college at Oklahoma. The defensive tackle collected 84 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, and 8.5 sacks over 47 games with the Sooners and was considered one of the best defensive linemen in the 2026 class.
If Halton continues to impress, he could seriously challenge Collins for playing time going forward.
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This story was originally published August 16, 2026 at 11:59 AM.