The San Francisco 49ers have parted ways with cornerback Tre Tomlinson, waiving the former Rams draft pick on Thursday after just one season with the team. Tomlinson, a sixth-round selection by the Los Angeles Rams in the 2023 NFL Draft, struggled to find his footing in a defensive secondary that was undergoing its own rebuilding phase.

After two seasons with the Rams, it became clear that playing time would be limited, prompting Tomlinson to request his release. He then signed with the 49ers last offseason, but spent the entirety of the 2024 campaign on injured reserve, never seeing the field in a San Francisco uniform.

This marks a surprising turn for a player who was once considered one of college football's elite defensive backs. At TCU, Tomlinson was a standout star, helping lead the Horned Frogs to the National Championship game in 2022. That same year, he was awarded the prestigious Jim Thorpe Award, given to the nation's top collegiate defensive back. He also earned first-team All-American honors and was a three-time All-Big 12 selection.

Now a free agent, Tomlinson will look to catch on with another team and revive a career that once held so much promise. For a player with his collegiate accolades, there's still time to make an impact at the professional level—it just won't be in San Francisco or Los Angeles.