Junior Bergen Drafted by San Francisco 49ers: A Remarkable Journey from Montana to the NFL
MISSOULA, MT — Junior Bergen, a standout athlete from Billings and a graduate of Senior High, is set to elevate his football career after being selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the seventh round of the NFL Draft with the 252nd overall pick. The former Montana Grizzlies player celebrated this achievement at a draft party, recalling the emotional moment when he received the call from 49ers general manager John Lynch, head coach Kyle Shanahan, and owner Jed York.
Bergen, who has been a lifelong 49ers fan, described the experience as surreal, saying, “I kind of blacked out… it was kind of all a blur.” As the moment unfolded, excitement erupted among his family and friends, marking a significant milestone in his athletic journey.
The 49ers plan to utilize Bergen primarily as a receiver, although his exceptional skills as a return specialist caught the attention of the coaching staff. During his collegiate career, Bergen set an FCS record with eight punt return touchdowns and contributed significantly to the Grizzlies’ playoff success, scoring six special teams touchdowns in crucial games.
Lynch expressed the team’s enthusiasm about drafting Bergen, emphasizing his potential as a dynamic returner in light of recent NFL changes regarding kickoff rules. With an average of 16.7 yards per punt return, Bergen holds the highest mark in University of Montana history.
As the first Montana player drafted since 2016 and the first from Billings since 2017, Bergen embodies hard work and passion for the game. “They’re going to get a hard-working kid who loves ball,” he said, adding that he’s ready to make an impact at the next level.
As Bergen embarks on this new chapter, anticipation builds for his contributions to the 49ers and beyond.
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