You gotta hear about Sebastian Valdez. This guy, rocking the nickname “Hulk,” is flat out *manhandling* NFL linemen, and get this, he was a zero-star recruit coming out of high school. Seriously, a no-star kid from Southern California is now a force in the league.
From Wrestling Mats to Defensive Tackle Dominance
Valdez’s journey to the NFL is wild. He didn’t even start playing football until sixth grade. Coming out of Monte Vista High School, he was a no-star recruit, but don’t let that fool you. He was a beast on the wrestling mat, winning a California Interscholastic Federation state championship after three years. He even admitted there was a point in high school where he enjoyed wrestling more than football! Collegiate wrestling offers? None. But then, a football scholarship came calling.
His parents, Jesús and Norah Valdez, Mexican immigrants, didn’t even understand football or that a scholarship meant free school. But Valdez was determined. He went off to Montana State, where he played “pretty solid” as a fill-in defensive tackle during his freshman year. The problem? He needed to bulk up, big time, to truly play the position. He was around 235 pounds back then. His coach, Howe, told him to eat like crazy, but in a controlled way. “He didn’t want me getting, like, fat,” Valdez deadpanned. His secret? “Chicken and rice, chicken and rice. I can’t even eat chicken and rice anymore,” he chuckled. His roommates even saw him with a little scale weighing his food! That dedication, that grind, it’s why he’s now out there celebrating big wins, like the one on October 19, 2026, when he and Keion White celebrated defeating the Washington Commanders.
Shifting Focus: Raiders, Defense, and Opportunity
Now, looking ahead, the 49ers are coming off their bye week and are set to face the Raiders in Week 9. If history is any indicator, Kyle Shanahan’s teams usually hit their stride right after the bye. One prediction has them winning 30-17, suggesting they’ll only need about 75% of their best to take this one fairly easily.
The defense, though, has their hands full. Raiders’ star tight end Brock Bowers, Kirk Cousins’ favorite target, has already racked up 41 catches for 547 yards and five touchdowns this season. The 49ers’ defensive coordinators are known for their creativity, remember how they used eight different players to cover tight end Trey McBride back in Week 3 against the Arizona Cardinals? Expect them to mix up their coverages against Bowers big time. It’s going to be a chess match. Keep an eye on “Brown,” who’s looking to lock down a starting job for the rest of the season. He’s already the third-leading tackler with 41 stops and has broken up a couple of passes, but he’s still chasing that first takeaway. This game will present plenty of opportunities for him to make some critical plays on the football.
The Week 9 matchup against the Raiders is crucial for maintaining momentum. Can the defense contain Bowers? Will Brown step up and secure his spot? It’s going to be a good one, and you know players like Valdez will be ready to keep making noise.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Niners Nation.
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