Fred Warner

American NFL linebacker who became one of the league's premier defensive players with the San Francisco 49ers, earning multiple Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections.

Born in San Marcos, California, Frederick Dextor Warner developed his athletic foundation at Mission Hills High School, where he excelled as a multi-sport athlete in football and track. He initially committed to Brigham Young University as a safety before transitioning to linebacker, demonstrating the versatility that would define his professional career. Warner's college tenure showcased his exceptional coverage skills and football intelligence, traits that caught the attention of NFL scouts despite playing for a program outside major conference play. The San Francisco 49ers selected Warner in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft, where he immediately earned a starting role as an outside linebacker before moving to middle linebacker in his second season. Under Kyle Shanahan's defensive system, Warner flourished as a three-down player capable of defending against both run and pass. His breakout came during the 49ers' 2019 NFC Championship season, where his sideline-to-sideline range and coverage abilities helped anchor one of the league's top defenses. Warner's performance in crucial playoff games, including the NFC Championship, established him as a premier linebacker. Warner earned First-Team All-Pro honors in 2020 and 2022, becoming the cornerstone of San Francisco's defensive identity. His rare combination of speed, instincts, and coverage skills allows him to neutralize tight ends and running backs in man coverage while maintaining elite run-stopping ability. Warner has consistently ranked among the league leaders in tackles while maintaining exceptional efficiency metrics in pass coverage, a combination rarely seen at the linebacker position. Warner represents the modern evolution of the linebacker position, embodying the athletic requirements needed to succeed in today's pass-heavy NFL. His ability to seamlessly transition between traditional run-stopping duties and sophisticated coverage responsibilities has influenced how teams evaluate and deploy linebackers. As the defensive captain and signal-caller for one of the NFL's most consistent defensive units, Warner has established himself as the gold standard for contemporary middle linebackers.

Athletic sideline-to-sideline linebacker with exceptional speed, coverage skills, and run-stopping ability

Transformed from third-round pick to All-Pro linebacker, setting new standards for modern linebacker play

• Pro Bowl 4x
• All-Pro 3x
• San Francisco 49ers franchise LB records