The San Francisco 49ers made a calculated roster adjustment this week, signing undrafted free agent linebacker Larry Worth III to a three-year contract after an impressive showing at the team's rookie minicamp. Worth, who participated on a tryout basis, turned heads with the kind of sideline-to-sideline speed that defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen values in his scheme.
To accommodate the addition, the 49ers released linebacker Milo Eifler, a Berkeley native who joined the team on a reserve/future contract in January. While Eifler's departure opens a spot, Worth's arrival signals a continued emphasis on athleticism and versatility in the linebacker corps.
At 6'4" and 226 pounds, Worth brings a rangy frame that blends well with the modern NFL's need for hybrid defenders. His college journey is a testament to persistence and growth. After starting his career at Jacksonville State (2022–23), he transferred to Arkansas for the 2024–25 seasons, where he faced the rigors of SEC competition head-on. Across 47 career games and 21 starts, Worth amassed 201 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, six passes defensed, three forced fumbles, and an interception.
His final season with the Razorbacks in 2025 was his most polished. He started 11 of 12 games, recording 64 tackles and playing a key role in Arkansas's defensive sub-packages. The previous year, he tallied 54 tackles and a forced fumble while adjusting to the speed and physicality of SEC play. But it was his time at Jacksonville State that first showcased his potential as a game-changer. In 2023, Worth posted 63 tackles, six tackles for loss, three sacks, and an interception, proving he could contribute both as a traditional linebacker and as a situational pass rusher—a dual-threat skill set that likely caught the eye of general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan.
Worth now steps into a 49ers linebacker room that has seen significant turnover this offseason. The group is headlined by the return of Dre Greenlaw, who rejoined San Francisco after a one-year stint with the Denver Broncos, and the departure of Dee Winters. While the starting roles are firmly held by established veterans, Worth's versatility and special teams potential could carve out a niche as the team builds toward the regular season.