Meet the newest addition to the San Francisco 49ers’ defensive line, Romello Height—from his journey to the NFL to his hobbies and more.
The San Francisco 49ers added defensive end Romello Height from Texas Tech University, selected 70th overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. A high-energy defensive end with a unique path to the NFL, Height brings production and personality to the Bay Area.
“We felt Romello is among the best in this draft in terms of effort, tenacity, and relentless play,” said John Lynch, President of Football Operations and General Manager. “And that’s what we were all looking for.”
Here are five things you should know about Height:
**1. His Journey to the NFL Spanned Four Programs**
Justin Rex/The Associated Press
Out of high school, Height was a highly recruited prospect, ranked as high as No. 32 among Georgia recruits according to ESPN. He ultimately chose Auburn over offers from Florida, Tennessee, Miami, South Carolina, Kentucky, Arizona State, Georgia Tech, and Ole Miss. The early attention set the stage for a well-traveled college career. Height played six seasons across four programs (Auburn, USC, Georgia Tech, Texas Tech), gaining experience in multiple systems before a standout senior season at Texas Tech, where he earned First Team All-Big 12 honors. He finished his college career with 111 tackles, 27 tackles for loss, and 16.5 sacks, including 10.0 in his final season.
**2. He Plays with Relentless Energy**
Ryan Sun/The Associated Press
If one thing defines how Height plays, it’s effort. Both Lynch and Head Coach Kyle Shanahan emphasized his relentless style. Shanahan noted that Height topped the team’s internal “hair on fire” rating, a term used to describe player intensity and energy. “The way he plays, the style, is exactly what we want—very relentless,” Shanahan said. “We have a rating called ‘hair on fire,’ and he was at the top of it.” Height is already embracing the opportunity ahead, sharing his excitement about playing alongside Nick Bosa: “Nick Bosa plays like a beast, and I can’t wait to line up on the other side… we’re going to cause chaos.”
**3. A Splash on Draft Night**
David Zalubowski/The Associated Press
When Height received the call from the 49ers, he celebrated by jumping into a pool fully clothed. That moment perfectly matched Defensive Coordinator Raheem Morris’s pre-draft comment about having a “pool party” for the right prospects—and Height didn’t miss the chance to start it. He shared a video on social media, writing: “#Ninergang ❤️💛”
**4. “Mello” On and Off the Field**
Annie Rice/The Associated Press
Nicknamed “Mello” by his teammates, Height has been shaped by discipline, family, and balance away from the field. He comes from a large family with one brother and five sisters, and credits his father Ronnie, a Marine veteran, as a major influence in his life. “You can’t do many pushups at a young age,” Height told the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. “Well, some can, but I couldn’t… but he would make me do sets of 25 as punishment. It just increased as I grew up.” Off the field, he enjoys fishing and earned a degree in American Popular Culture from USC, adding another layer to his personality beyond football.
**5. A Highly Explosive Athletic Profile**
Eric Gay/The Associated Press
Height’s athletic ability stood out at the NFL Combine, where he posted a 39-inch vertical jump and a 10’5″ broad jump, ranking in the top five among defensive ends in both categories. Combined with his energy and motor, these traits make him a promising addition to the 49ers’ defensive front.
