49ers rookie Puni shines in ‘impressive’ NFL debut against Jets originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SANTA CLARA — As the postgame crowd in the 49ers“The locker rooms began to empty, rookie guard Dominick Puni was approached at his locker by none other than Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker and Patrick Willis, franchise icon.
As Willis expressed how impressed he was with Puni’s NFL debut, the rookie stood in awe, seemingly stunned that a player of that caliber knew who he was, much less took the time to personally compliment his performance.
Willis’ praise was well-deserved, as the 2024 third-round draft pick shined in his first NFL regular-season action, looking like a seasoned veteran against the Jets’ stout defensive front in San Francisco wins 32-19 in New York on Monday night at Levi’s Stadium.
After Monday’s win, Puni spoke about how much he enjoyed making his professional debut under the bright lights of prime time.
“It was awesome,” Puni said. “For a rookie, ‘Monday Night Football’ against a great team is a pretty big stage. I just enjoyed everything during the game, but at the same time, we had to play. But it was really fun, I had a lot of fun, they’re a fun team to play for. You’ve got superstars all over the field making plays. For a guy like me, I’m just trying to stay in the game with them, make sure they get what they get.”
Among the playmakers Puni paved the way for are back Jordan Masonwho ran for a career-high 147 yards as San Francisco demoralized New York with a relentless rushing attack in Monday’s victory.
“I love running the ball,” Puni said. “The fact that we were able to do that — I think we had 37 carries? Anytime you get 25, 30 or more, it’s probably a good game. It’s kind of like an offensive line, a running back. You just have to get your head down, and the receivers, they do a hell of a job blocking.”
"I love running the ball."
Dominick Puni is elated by the 49ers' offensive approach 😁 pic.twitter.com/2vu6mNpbOq
— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) September 10, 2024
Despite the praise from one of the NFL’s greatest linebackers, Puni didn’t leave Monday’s game satisfied, saying there’s still plenty of room for improvement while graciously praising his teammates for the feedback they give him that allows him to continue to grow as a player.
“I had flashes for sure, I had some good moments, but at the same time, there was a lot to clean up,” Puni said. “You could see them giving me looks, I feel like for me on the defensive line, they were trying to bring guys in to get me out of position a little bit. There’s definitely a lot to learn, but all the guys are doing a hell of a job of keeping me in the game and keeping me up to speed.”
Puni overcame an incredibly difficult task in his first start, facing a fierce Jets front four that includes an All-Pro defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and former first-round pick of the 49ers Javon Kinlaw.
The rookie guard detailed how this trial by fire could help prepare him for sustained success as he continues to embark on his first NFL season.
“That’s part of why I’m glad it’s Monday night and this defensive line, in particular. Because you’ve got Quinnen Williams and (Javon) Kinlaw,” Puni said. “They’re two really big guys, so from here on out, there’s not many guys better than Quinnen Williams. So I think it’s a great experience for me to start off that way.”
It’s easy to get lost in the spectacle of a nationally televised game against a formidable opponent, but Puni was still able to take a moment to soak in his defining moment as the 49ers took their final snap of the game to secure a Week 1 victory.
“When we got down on our knees,” Puni said. “I looked around and I was like, ‘This is kind of crazy.’ But in football, I get nervous before a game. But once we get on the field, when we do our little warm-up, that’s when all the nerves go away. I feel like I’m playing football. I don’t even feel like anyone’s watching me. It’s just me and my team on the field, playing football.”
San Francisco has built one of, if not the, strongest rosters in the NFL by consistently hitting home runs in the middle of the draft. Puni doesn’t just look like a home run so far — the 49ers could have hit the ball out of the ballpark with room to spare when they selected him. No. 86 in the general ranking in the 2024 NFL Draft.
A talented and dynamic player who earned the trust of his teammates and coaches early on, Puni appears poised to become a staple of San Francisco’s offensive line for years to come.
The future looks bright for the young offensive lineman, but for now, Puni can savor his exceptional debut.
