The San Francisco 49ers selected defensive linemanGracen Haltonout the University of Oklahoma with the No. 107 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Across four seasons as a Sooner, Halton showcased his athleticism, versatility, and ability to disrupt plays in the backfield while consistently pressuring quarterbacks. At 22 years old, Halton has an intriguing upside and traits that could make him a strong fit along the 49ers defensive front.

"Halton plays the style that we like to play," president of football operations and general manager John Lynch saidfollowing the draft. "He plays in the opposing offense's backfield. Extremely explosive player boom, he's off the ball we think he's going to be a great addition."

Here are five things to know about Halton:

Gracen Halton spent all four seasons of his college career at Oklahoma, where he developed into one of the Sooners most disruptive defensive linemen and emerged as a leader within the program. Rather than entering the transfer portal during difficult stretches early in his career, Halton stayed committed to Oklahoma and embraced the challenges that came with earning playing time and transitioning positions on the defensive line.

"Things got harder in Oklahoma, I just kept on going, had the horse blinders on and kept on moving forward," Halton saidfollowing the 2026 NFL Draft.

Halton appeared in 47 games over four seasons for the Sooners, totaling 84 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles. In 2025, he was named team captain and earned Second-Team All-SEC honors after recording 33 tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks. He also earned SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors and returned a fumble for a touchdown during his senior season.

Halton's path to becoming an NFL defensive tackle required an adjustment both physically and mentally. Arriving at Oklahoma as a defensive end around 250 pounds, Halton eventually transitioned inside to defensive tackle to see more snaps, and doing so added 45 pounds while learning a new skill set.

"Knowing where you've got to get your hands to standing your gap, playing those double teams," Halton said at the SAP Practice Facilities during rookie minicamp. "For me, just being consistent."

Halton credited Oklahoma's nutrition and strength programs for helping him gradually transform his body while maintaining his athleticism.

"Coming in, I was 250 and leaving I was about 292, 295," Halton said. "I just got bigger, got faster, got stronger every day."

That athleticism showed up at the NFL Combine, where the 6-foot-2, 293-pound defensive lineman ran a 4.82 40-yard dash and posted a 36.5-inch vertical jump, the top mark among defensive tackles at the event.

Before becoming a disruptive defensive lineman, Halton spent much of his football career carrying the ball. Once a 6'2 250-teenager, the San Diego native played running back and throughout high school.

"Once I get to that sideline, the hashes, I'm gone," Halton said with a smile during rookie minicamp. "I can run through the hole and throw in my shoulder if I need to."

Halton stopped playing running back once he arrived at Oklahoma, but his versatility extended beyond the backfield. At St. Augustine High School, he also contributed at wide receiver and tight end.

"You watch my senior highlights you'll see everything" Halton said.

After spending four years in Oklahoma, Halton is excited to return closer to home and play in front of family and friends once again.

Originally from San Diego, Halton attended St. Augustine High School and started playing youth football for the Bonita Bucs. His father, Buford Halton, also founded theAlways Give Back Sports Foundation, which helps provide opportunities for youth athletes in the community.

"Being in Oklahoma for four years, they couldn't really come as much as they wanted to," Halton said. "So to just know that I'm up the road, they're all going to come out."

Halton laughed he may have to turn down some extra ticket requests with having a big family, but that having the opportunity to play near them again is "a blessing."

Halton's nickname, "G-Baby," has followed him from childhood all the way to the NFL.

The nickname comes from the movie "Hardball," and according to Halton, it started because he was the youngest sibling in his family with two older brothers.

"My older brother always called me G-Baby," Halton said. "I just took it to college and started making my own name."

Halton even signs off as "G-baby."

Up Next

Latest Videos Channel2026 49ers Fan Invasions Are SetLatest Videos ChannelBreaking Down the 49ers 2026 Schedule | The SaloonLatest Videos ChannelHome of the Faithful: 2026 49ers Schedule RevealLatest Videos Channel49ers Foundation 2026 Golden GetawayLatest Videos ChannelCoordinators Talk Rookie Minicamp, New Additions, and 2026 VisionLatest Videos Channel49ers Host Flag Day at San Francisco City HallLatest Videos Channel49ers 2026 NFL Draft Recap | The SaloonLatest Videos ChannelMeet 49ers WR De'Zhaun Stribling | 2026 NFL DraftLatest Videos ChannelJohn Lynch, Kyle Shanahan Close Out 2026 NFL DraftLatest Videos Channel2026 Draft Picks Get the Special Call After Being Drafted by the 49ersLatest Videos ChannelCB Ephesians Prysock Gets the Draft Call at No. 139 OverallLatest Videos Channel49ers Scouts Recap the 2026 NFL DraftLatest Videos ChannelJohn Lynch and Kyle Shanahan Recap the Final Day of the 2026 NFL DraftLatest Videos Channel49ers Introduce Fifth-Round Pick OL Enrique Cruz Jr.Latest Videos Channel49ers Select Enrique Cruz Jr. with No. 179 Pick in 2026 DraftLatest Videos Channel49ers Introduce Fifth-Round Pick LB Jaden DuggerLatest Videos Channel49ers Introduce Fourth-Round Pick CB Ephesians PrysockLatest Videos Channel49ers Select Jaden Dugger with No. 154 Pick in 2026 DraftLatest Videos ChannelWR De'Zhaun Stribling: 'Blessed and Excited to Be Here'Latest Videos Channel49ers Introduce Fourth-Round Pick OL Carver WillisLatest Videos Channel49ers Select Ephesians Prysock with No. 139 Pick in 2026 DraftLatest Videos Channel49ers Select Carver Willis with No. 127 pick in 2026 draftLatest Videos Channel49ers Introduce Fourth-Round Pick DL Gracen HaltonLatest Videos Channel49ers Select Gracen Halton with No. 107 pick in 2026 draftLatest Videos ChannelJohn Lynch Details Day 2 Picks and 49ers Draft VisionLatest Videos ChannelRB Kaelon Black Gets the Draft Call at No. 90 OverallLatest Videos ChannelJohn Lynch and Kyle Shanahan Recap Day 2 of the 2026 NFL DraftLatest Videos ChannelDL Romello Height Gets the Draft Call at No. 70 OverallLatest Videos Channel49ers Introduce Third-Round Pick RB Kaelon BlackLatest Videos Channel49ers Introduce Third-Round Pick DL Romello HeightLatest Videos Channel49ers Introduce Second-Round Pick WR De'Zhaun StriblingLatest Videos Channel49ers select Kaelon Black with No. 90 pick in 2026 draftLatest Videos Channel49ers select Romello Height with No. 70 pick in 2026 DraftLatest Videos Channel49ers select De'Zhaun Stribling with No. 33 pick in 2026 DraftLatest Videos Channel49ers International Fan of the Year David Roesler at the NFL Draft in PittsburghLatest Videos ChannelJohn Lynch Breaks Down Trade-Down Strategy on Night 1 of 2026 NFL DraftLatest Videos ChannelJohn Lynch and Kyle Shanahan Recap Day 1 of the 2026 NFL DraftLatest Videos ChannelDraft Week is Here & OTAs Begin | The SaloonLatest Videos ChannelLynch, Purdy, Warner Speak Ahead of 2026 NFL DraftLatest Videos ChannelMcCaffrey on 2026 Draft, 49ers Offseason | 'The Insiders'