The San Francisco 49ers snagged Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman Gracen Halton in Round 4 of the 2026 NFL Draft
The third Sooner came off the board in the forth round at pick No. 107, as the San Francisco 49ers called the name of Oklahoma Sooners defensive tackle Gracen Halton.
The 6-foot-2, 292-pound senior from San Diego, California, who became a beloved figure in Norman, heard his name announced as the 49ers added another explosive interior lineman to their defensive front.
Halton arrived at Oklahoma in 2022 as a consensus four-star recruit out of St. Augustine High School. Over four seasons in crimson and cream, he developed into a disruptive force on the defensive line.
In his senior campaign of 2025, Halton stepped up in a major way. He played in all 13 games and earned seven starts, including the final six of the regular season.
The rewards followed: he was named a 2025 team captain and earned Second-Team All-SEC honors from the Associated Press. He also picked up SEC Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week honors after a standout performance against Missouri, where he recorded seven tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, 0.5 sack, and a quarterback hurry.
His 2025 stats tell the story of a high-motor playmaker: 33 tackles (11 solo), 7.0 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, a team-high seven quarterback hurries, two pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery returned for a touchdown.
Whether it was collapsing the pocket against Alabama or forcing turnovers in key conference matchups, Halton brought relentless energy that Sooner fans came to expect every Saturday.
That twitchy first step and ability to win with quick hands made him a fan favorite in the trenches alongside teammates like R Mason Thomas.
Scouts praised Halton’s explosiveness coming off the snap, he ran a 4.82-second 40-yard dash at 292 pounds at the Combine, and his ability to create chaos in the backfield as a rotational piece.
The Athletic’s Dane Brugler described him as “a twitchy, disruptive big man who will thrive in a part-time role,” projecting him as a solid Day 3 contributor with upside.
For the 49ers, who pride themselves on a physical, scheme-diverse defensive line under coach Kris Kocurek, Halton fits the mold of an energetic interior disruptor who can spell starters and generate pressure on obvious passing downs.
From an Oklahoma perspective, Halton’s journey embodies what Venables’ program is all about: developing tough, accountable players who elevate their game when the lights are brightest.
He wasn’t always a starter early in his career, but he earned every snap through preparation and production.
As a captain in 2025, he helped lead a young defensive line through a challenging SEC slate, proving leadership off the field as well as on it.
Now in San Francisco, Halton joins a 49ers team that values versatile defensive linemen capable of making an immediate impact in sub-packages. Oklahoma fans will be tuning in to see the former Sooner chase quarterbacks in the red and gold, continuing the proud tradition of Sooners making their mark in the NFL.
From Norman to the Bay Area, Gracen Halton’s story is another reminder that hard work in the crimson trenches pays off.
Halton’s All-SEC recognition and consistent disruption in 2025 validated what his teammates and coaches saw daily: a player with the heart, motor, and skill to succeed at the next level.
The 49ers are getting a high-character defensive tackle ready to contribute right away.
As draft weekend wraps up, Oklahoma continues to stock NFL rosters with talent forged in Norman. Halton joins Febechi Nwaiwu and R Mason Thomas as the latest Sooners to be drafted so far.