The 49ers were interested in NFL-turned-UFL cornerback Damon Arnette Jr. before he ultimately signed a one-year free-agent contract with the Houston Texans on June 18.
In an exclusive interview with KPRC 2 Houston’s Aaron Wilson, UFL executive vice president of football operations Daryl Johnston described San Francisco’s interest in Arnette.
“It was a couple of teams that were reaching out on him,” Johnston told Wilson. “He’s got everything you want, he’s got the length. He’s a former first-round [NFL] draft pick, so the talent is there. It’s really the maturity. Has he learned from what happened to him, his first opportunity when he was in Vegas?
“So, it was great to see the Houston Texans call, DeMeco Ryans, because John Lynch in San Francisco was another one that called about him. So you can see that he really fits that style of defense that DeMeco wants to install with the Texans, coming from the San Francisco 49ers, because those were probably the two busiest teams that were reaching out on Damon’s behalf."
It appears that Arnette would have fit the 49ers' style, given that San Francisco and its former defensive coordinator were most interested in him, according to Johnston and Wilson.
Nonetheless, Arnette’s move encapsulates a true success story.
The Las Vegas Raiders' No. 19-overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft fell out of the league after playing just 13 games over two seasons because of several off-the-field issues. After proving to Johnston that he has grown as a person, Arnette earned a second chance at professional football with the Houston Roughnecks of the UFL -- with whom he recorded 18 tackles, five passes defensed, one sack and one pick-six during the 2024 season.
Arnette might not play for the 49ers, but his story deserves to be celebrated.
“So, we’re very proud of what he’s done with this opportunity,” Johnston told Wilson. “He’s still got a long way to go. I talked to Damon the day he signed with the Texans and said, ‘Hey, congratulations, that’s great stuff. I know it’s been a long journey, but you are just at the beginning. You’ve got so much work to do.’
“And so I’m gonna be on him all the way through training camp, making sure that he’s got a friendly voice talking to him."
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