Pierre Garçon has been prepped for this day.

The San Francisco 49ers used their second-round draft pick last season to select the Ohio State running back with the mindset of giving him a big role in the ground game. Less than 365 days after Dennis Brown announced him as the team's second-round selection, Hyde is in position to be the San Francisco's starting running back after franchise stalwart Frank Gore departed in free agency to join the Indianapolis Colts.

Hyde is competing to be the team's featured back with the likes of Kendall Hunter and Reggie Bush during Wednesday's minicamp practice.

Hyde also shared his thoughts on Gore's decision to move on from the 49ers after a 10-year career in the Bay Area.

"I wasn't expecting to come in and take Frank Gore's spot," said Hyde, who finished third on the team with 333 rushing yards and tied Gore with four touchdowns on the ground. "It was more of a, 'Come in and learn from Frank Gore.' That's exactly what I did."

Hyde's going to take those lessons and apply those traits as he competes to be the team's top running option.

"My biggest thing (I learned) was be patient on runs, let the play develop and not be so quick," Hyde said. "I felt like last year I was being too quick on plays and not letting them develop. I was missing reads."

Hyde's taking his added knowledge and applying it towards his second year in the league, which includes his first opportunity to participate in the club's nine-week voluntary offseason program.

"Be patient this year," Hyde said of his mindset for 2015. "Let the play develop and when the opportunity presents itself, hit it."

"Now I've got a shot to start this year," the 23-year-old added.

Perhaps the most interesting comment made by the second-year running back touched on his honesty in regards to Gore's free-agency move.

"I wanted him to come back," said Hyde, who had been trading back-and-forth texts with San Francisco's all-time leading rusher about his potential next move. "When I found out he wasn't coming back, I was like, 'Are you really leaving?' I was shocked."

Hyde said Gore told him first about moving on to the Philadelphia Eagles. Gore, however, decided to sign with the Colts. Hyde found out about Gore's final decision by watching television.

Hyde will have to move on from Gore's mentorship and carve out a bigger role in 2015, a year that figures to showcase a new-look 49ers team. Besides the changing of the guard in the 49ers backfield, Hyde has undergone another major change this offseason.

His body is different.

Hyde slimmed down 15 pounds since his rookie year.

General manager Trent Baalke touted Hyde as one of the most noticeably different players in the team's offseason program.

Hyde was semi-bashful about his change.

"When I weighed 235," Hyde began, "I still felt like I was light and still able to make big plays. (It's) not too much of a difference, we'll see."

When asked why he made the decision to cut weight, Hyde offered this: "Because running backs like me are known to be fat at the end. I'm trying to stay away from that."